Guinea has declared the end of the Ebola outbreak that emerged in February and has killed 12 people, according to the World Health Organization.
The most recent outbreak of the virus was the first in Guinea since a deadly outbreak from 2014 to 2016 killed more than 11,300 people in West Africa.
It originated in the same area before spreading to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The latest outbreak in Guinea was announced on February 14 after three cases were detected in Gouécké, a rural community in the southern province of N’zérékoré. There were 16 confirmed cases and seven probable cases.
“I commend the affected communities, the government and people of Guinea, health workers, partners and everyone whose dedicated efforts contributed to containing the Ebola outbreak,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“Based on lessons learned from the 2014-16 outbreak and through rapid and coordinated response efforts, community participation, effective public health measures and the fair use of vaccines, Guinea has been able to control the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond its borders.”
The United Nations said it would continue to provide care after illness.
We must stay vigil
Dr Machidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, said lessons from the previous outbreak meant Guinea was able to contain the virus in just four months.
But she cautioned that vigilance must remain.
“We are evolving faster, better and smarter in the fight against Ebola. But while this outbreak is over, we must remain alert to the possibility of a resurgence and ensure that Ebola expertise expands to other health threats such as COVID-19.”
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