Liberia was first declared free of Ebola transmission in May 2015, but the virus reappeared twice since then, with the latest flare-up in November.
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Ebola has taken a heavy toll on health workers in these nations, and little has been done to improve the weak infrastructure that contributed to the virus’ rapid spread. “We commend the government of Liberia for developing a national policy that will ensure EVD survivors have access to medical and psychosocial care; screening for persistent virus, as well as counseling and education”.
Thursday declared Liberia Ebola-free country for the third time since the disease ravaged the West African country.
Since its outbreak in Liberia in March 2014, Liberia has suffered the most from the virus, killing almost 5,000 people and slowing the growth rate of the Liberian economy.
The WHO on Friday confirmed the new Ebola case in Sierra Leone but did not immediately provide details or say whether there was a risk of others being infected. “I hope there will be no recurrence”, said Sonpon, recalling the devastating effect of the virus on people who came to her clinic.
On Wednesday, a report from a group of worldwide health experts convened in the wake of the crisis warned that infectious diseases represent a threat matched only by wars and natural disasters when it comes to endangering life and disrupting societies. We have now gone more than six weeks with no new cases.
The epidemic dwarfed all previous outbreaks of the haemorrhagic fever, killing some 11,300 people and leaving numerous 17,000 survivors with lingering symptoms.
Health specialists cautioned against complacency, saying the world was still underprepared for any future outbreaks of the disease. Studies continue to uncover new information about how long Ebola can last in bodily fluids.
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Hilde de Clerck, a doctor with Medecins Sans Frontieres who has assisted with five Ebola outbreaks, said vigilance was crucial to prevent the re-emergence of the disease, for which there is no proven drug treatment, although researchers have developed a vaccine. “But given the tenacity of the Ebola virus, there is a real risk of additional flare-ups”, he said.
