55 released from Ebola quarantine in Sierra Leone

The northern township of Magburaka in Tonkolili district, northern Sierra Leone, was in a carnival mood Wednesday as 33 people left two isolation facilities after being certified as negative of the Ebola virus.

Vice President Victor Foh handed over certificates to them at a ceremony, declaring that they are negative of the virus after 21 days.

"The government is eager to get the various development back on track so everybody should remain in a state of preparedness to ensure that Ebola does not return to upset our plans," he said.

Also on the day, 22 other Ebola quarantined people were released from isolation facilities in Kambia in the country's north.

Harold Williams, official with Ministry of Health, said 48 people are still classified as missing contacts, mainly in Kambia, and 18 of them are at high risk.

"We are appealing to all missing persons to come out of hiding as they have not committed any crime. We are only concerned about their status and if they are infected so that we can treat them to avoid any possible spread of the virus," he said.

Sierra Leone confirmed two Ebola cases last month after the World Health Organization declared an end to the epidemic that had afflicted West Africa since late 2013.

A 22-year-old girl died from Ebola in January in Magburaka, Tonkolili district, and one of her relative, was later confirmed as the second Ebola case in the country. Enditem