Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday were in joyous mood after the last Ebola patient in the country was discharged from a treatment centre.
The patient had been in isolation at a treatment centre in the eastern city of Beni but has now been discharged after making full recovery.
WHO’s Africa Regional Directorate confirmed the news on its Twitter account saying that there were currently no cases of Ebola in the country.
The WHO directorate also noted that it was hopeful that this could be the end of the current outbreak.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti who heads the WHO’s Africa regional unit said “There are currently zero cases of Ebola in DRC after over a year of fighting this outbreak.
So proud of all involved in the response. We are hopeful, yet cautiously optimistic that we will soon bring this outbreak to an end.”
An emotional day in #Beni #DRC as Masiko, the last #Ebola patient in DRC leaves the Ebola treatment centre in #Beni! Our @WHO team was delighted to share this victory with Masiko, @MinSanteRDC, our partners, & the people of Beni. pic.twitter.com/2OQ1N14x1e
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 3, 2020
But the World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said no new infections had been reported in the last two weeks.
He adds that “This is very encouraging, but the outbreak is not over and we are still in full response mode.”
The outbreak would only be declared over when DR Congo doesn’t report any new cases within a period of 42 days.
#HealthHeroes in #Beni celebrating the last #Ebola patient in #DRC to be discharged from a treatment centre! @WHO congratulates all of our partners. We will remain in full response mode for the remainder of the observation period. pic.twitter.com/Hxjir9EwYL
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 3, 2020
Since 2018 when the current Ebola outbreak occurred, more than 2,300 people have been killed.
Source: Africafeeds.com