1st LD: WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in W. Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the end of the most recent flare-up of the Ebola virus in Liberia, marking all known chains of transmission have been stopped in West Africa.

The WHO announcement came 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus) after the last confirmed patient in Liberia tested negative for the disease two times.

It is the first time since the start of the epidemic two years ago that all three of the hardest-hit countries -- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone -- have reported zero cases for at least 42 days.

The WHO reported that in total, 28,637 people contracted Ebola and 11,315 died during the outbreak, overwhelmingly in the three countries. Endi