Congo’s last Ebola patient has been discharged, raising hope outbreak might be over
BULAPE, Congo — BULAPE, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization has announced that the most recent Ebola patient in the Congo has been discharged over the weekend, with no new cases reported since September 25.
This announcement marks the beginning of a 42-day countdown to officially declare the outbreak over, provided no further cases are confirmed.
The outbreak, which was initially identified in the remote Bulape health district in Kasai on September 4, has resulted in a total of 64 cases, including 53 confirmed and 11 probable cases. The WHO has reported 43 deaths, with only 19 patients making a full recovery, including the patient discharged on Sunday.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO’s regional director for Africa, commented, “The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak was declared is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the strength of partnerships, national expertise, and determination in overcoming challenges to save and protect lives.”
The WHO has confirmed their continued presence on the ground, working closely with the government to ensure that measures are in place to detect and respond to any potential new cases.
This marks the first Ebola outbreak in 18 years in the province of Kasai, a remote area of the Congo where health workers have faced challenges in reaching patients due to poor road networks.
