WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak In Guinea Over

The World Health Organisation has declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

14:49 01 January 2016

After two years, the Ebola outbreak is Guinea is finally over, as confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Guineans celebrated the landmark with fireworks and concerts. The epidemic killed more than 2,500 people in the West African state and another 9,000 in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

 

Liberia was declared Ebola-free in September but the country had recorded new cases since the declaration.

 

WHO declares a country Ebola-free if two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.

 

Ebola survivor Alama Kambou Dore, said: "It's the best year-end present that God could give to Guinea, and the best news that Guineans could hope for.”

 

However, local health workers still urge locals to be vigilant. Alpha Seny Souhmah, a Guinean health worker and Ebola survivor, said: "We have to be very careful, because even if open transmission has been stopped, the disease has not been totally defeated.”

 

WHO also released a statement congratulating the locals and the Guinean government for successfully fighting the epidemic. However, Dr. Bruce Aylward from the WHO’s Ebola response team warned: "The coming months will be absolutely critical.”

 

"This is the period when the countries need to be sure that they are fully prepared to prevent, detect and respond to any new cases."