WHO officially declares Ebola free in Sierra Leone today

The World Health Organization today declared that the Ebola virus transmission has been stopped in Sierra Leone. 42 days, that is two Ebola virus incubation cycles, have now passed since the last person confirmed to have Ebola virus disease had a second negative blood test.

According to WHO Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr Anders Nordström, "Since Sierra Leone recorded the first Ebola case in May 2014, a total number of 8,704 people were infected and 3,589 have died, 221 of them healthcare workers, all of whom we remember on this day."

The country now enters a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance which will run until 5 February 2016 and WHO will continue to support Sierra Leone during this period. This new phase is critical for ensuring early detection of any possible new cases of Ebola virus disease.