New ebola death hours after epidemic declared over

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently stated that the latest Ebola outbreak in Liberia has ended, signaling the end of all of West Africa’s known transmission chains.

But “more flare-ups” are expected, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (local time), calling for continued strong surveillance. It’s been 42 days – representing two 21-day virus incubation cycles – since the last confirmed patient tested negative twice for the disease.

The statement cautioned that the three affected countries remain at high risk of additional small outbreaks of Ebola, like the most recent one in Liberia.

The country was said to be clear of the virus on the 7th of November 2015.

But two tests conducted on a boy who died in northern Sierra Leone proved positive for the virus, a health ministry.

Hundreds of healthcare workers in both urban and rural communities were among those killed by the disease, a major blow to medical systems in countries which already had among the lowest numbers of doctors per head of population in the world.

The World Health Organization declared West Africa free of Ebola on January 14.

However, research has shown that although Ebola disappears relatively quickly from survivors, among males, it can remain in the semen for up to one year and be transmitted to partners.

Yet, reaching zero new cases in all three countries is a hugely significant milestone.

West Africa is now free of Ebola, marking an end to the devastating epidemic that plagued the region for two years.

In Liberia, there was guarded optimism Thursday about reaching the 42-day benchmark with no new cases.

Russian Federation has developed and registered a highly-effective vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus.

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.

On Wednesday, a report from a group of global 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.

With Thursdays official announcement that the Ebolas transmission had ended, global health officials acknowledged the achievement – and the unprecedented challenged posed by the disease.“Detecting and breaking every chain of transmission has been a monumental achievement, ” said Margaret Chan, WHOs director general.

There are about 120 social workers across Liberia – compared to just 12 before the outbreak – who monitor the wellbeing of Ebola orphans and the care provided by their adoptive families.