UN: Sierra Leone’s Ebola flare-up is over, but more are possible

NEW YORK, NY – The latest flare-up of Ebola in Sierra Leone is over, the United Nations health agency today reported, but cautioned that the West African region remains at risk and should remain on al

NEW YORK, NY – The latest flare-up of Ebola in Sierra Leone is over, the United Nations health agency today reported, but cautioned that the West African region remains at risk and should remain on alert.

โ€œToday marks another milestone in the country’s effort to defeat Ebola,โ€ the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement praising โ€œrapid containmentโ€ of the flare-up.

The UN agency made the announcement after two incubation cycles of the virus โ€“ or 42 days โ€“ passed Sierra Leone’s last confirmed patient tested negative for a second time.

Commending the country’s Government, partners and people on the โ€œeffective and swift responseโ€ to the flare up, WHO said: โ€œFrom nurses, vaccinators and social mobilizers to contact tracers, counsellors and community leaders, Sierra Leoneans in affected districts mobilized quickly and their involvement and dedication was instrumental and impactful.โ€

The agency attributed the quick response to the increased response capacity at the national, district and community level and increased capability to mitigate their impact.

Sierra Leone, along with neighbouring Liberia and Guinea, must not lower their guard, WHO cautioned, warning that risks of other flare-ups continue due to virus persistence in some survivors.

The UN agency called for maintaining strong surveillance and emergency response, along with rigorous hygiene practices.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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