The World Health Organization on Thursday declared Liberia to be free of Ebola, marking the first time in the two years all three West African countries hit by the tragic epidemic have seen no new cases in 42 days.
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The WHO said it anticipates the possibility of detecting new Ebola cases in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, which is why it considers the three countries to still be at high risk of additional minor outbreaks of the virus.
“Regulation in Liberia is weak across the board, so even an orphanage opened by a well-meaning individual could quickly become unhygienic, abusive and lacking trained staff or a clear system”, said Save the Children country director Edward Abbey.
The World Bank estimates the economic damage of the outbreak, which devastated the mining, agriculture and tourism industries in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, at US$2.2 billion over 2014-15. Liberia is an example of that challenge, having gotten cases to zero twice before, only to have the disease spark again-both instances likely caused by lingering virus in survivors.
Bruce Aylward, MD, MPH, the WHO’s assistant director-general in charge of Ebola outbreak response, said the risk of flare-ups is diminishing as the virus gradually fades from the survivor population.
Thursday’s declaration comes because it is 42 days since Liberia’s last Ebola patient tested negative.
He lauded the United Nations and other global partners for their support to Liberia, especially during the height of the EVD and stressed the need for continued support to ensure that Liberia implements its plan to rebuild a more resilient health system.
The tests reinforce concerns about flare-ups of the virus that has killed more than 11,300 people since 2013 in the world’s deadliest outbreak of Ebola.
Dr. Alex Gasasira, a World Health Organization representative in Liberia, said in a statement: “WHO commends Liberia’s government and people on their effective response to this recent re-emergence of Ebola”.
Those who are not protesting must still endure the stigma of working with Ebola-stricken remains, particularly those who performed the arduous task of burning bodies to prevent the further spread of the disease.
But de le Vingne says this new focus on “hands-on” activities on the ground should not happen to the detriment of the WHO’s traditional roles: setting norms, providing technical assistance and coordinating global efforts.
Relatives and foster parents who took in orphans of Ebola each received a one-off payment of $150, and Togba said many of them had used the money to set up businesses and build homes.
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Detecting and breaking every chain of transmission has been a monumental achievement.
