Last Ebola patient discharged as WHO starts countdown to end DRC outbreak
A total of 43 people have died, with most of the cases and deaths concentrated in Bulape and Dikolo, which together account for more than three-quarters of all infections.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a 42-day countdown to declare the Ebola outbreak in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) officially over, following the recovery and discharge of the last patient.
The outbreak was first declared in Kasai Province on September 4, with DR Congo's health ministry reporting 64 cases, including 53 confirmed and 11 probable infections.
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A total of 43 people have died, with most of the cases and deaths concentrated in Bulape and Dikolo, which together account for more than three-quarters of all infections.
In a statement on Sunday, the WHO confirmed that the last Ebola patient was discharged on Sunday, marking an important milestone in the efforts to end the outbreak.
"The recovery kicks off a 42-day countdown to declaring the outbreak over if no further cases are confirmed," said WHO.
"A total of 19 patients have recovered from the disease. No new cases have been reported since September 25."
According to WHO, the outbreak occurred in a remote area that was difficult to reach because of poor roads and limited facilities, but the organisation increased response efforts by sending medical and support teams to the area.
For instance, a 32-bed Ebola treatment centre equipped with a two-bed intensive infectious disease module was set up in record time, while WHO also reported that more than 35,000 people were vaccinated in Bulape as part of the emergency response.
"WHO deployed multidisciplinary teams to strengthen surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, logistics, community engagement and other key response measures," said WHO.
The organisation's Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, praised the achievement, noting that the recovery of the last patient only six weeks after the outbreak began shows that quick and coordinated responses can help save lives.
"WHO and partners remain on the ground, working closely with the government to ensure measures are maintained to swiftly detect and respond to any cases as the country counts down to the end of the outbreak," said WHO.
According to the health body, if no new cases are detected, the outbreak will be declared over in early December 2025.
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