Liberia Ebola outbreak is over after 42 days of no case: WHO
Xinhua, May 9, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Ebola episode that has plagued Liberia since March 2014 has come to a close with the country being declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization on Saturday.
The declaration comes after Liberia has not reported any new case for 42 days.
At a brief ceremony to mark the occasion at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf thanked God for bringing Liberia this far and allowing its citizens to overcome a devastating menace.
"No more Ebola," the Liberian declared amid applauses from WHO officials, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and officials of the U.S. embassy near the capital.
The president went on a tour of various hospitals and clinic to reassure Liberians that the virus is finally gone and thanked them for their resilience during the turmoil.
On the situation in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone, President Sirleaf said the two countries will overcome their nightmare.
"They are our partners; we are working with them in information sharing and supplies. They are our brothers and sisters in a regional struggle to defeat the virus,"
WHO urged caution until the deadly virus is completely eradicated from Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The virus has killed more than 11,000 people so far across the three countries. Endi