Liberia's president announced the closure of an Ebola treatment facility which lay at the epicentre of the virus's worst outbreak in history, as the disease's spread has slowed.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf warned Liberians that while they could not yet afford to relax, the country had made significant progress in the fight against Ebola, and thanked states who helped Monrovia combat the virus.
British Ebola Nurse Discharged from Hospital
British nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola while working as a volunteer in Sierra Leone was discharged from the hospital after having made a full recovery.
Advertisement
"Lofa, the epicentre of the virus, has had no new cases for over 70 days," she said in the speech at the national parliament.
"The Ebola Treatment Unit in Foya is closed," she said, referring to an area in the north of the country near its border with Guinea, where the virus hit Liberia for the first time.
![Mistakes With Ebola Must be a Lesson: WHO]( "Mistakes With Ebola Must be a Lesson: WHO")
The chief of World Health Organization admitted on Sunday that the UN agency had been handling Ebola issue carelessly, saying it should serve as a lesson to avoid similar mistakes in future.
"Today we take pride that 13 of 15... counties have not reported new cases for 21 days," she said, referring to the virus's maximum incubation period.
"Our diligent doctors and health workers supported by international partners have brought joy to us. Ebola has made 3,000 orphans who need attention. I thank all the countries who came to our rescue when we thought all was lost."
However, the Liberian leader stressed, the outbreak was not yet over.
"We know we must continue relentlessly on the practices and protocols that have brought us this far. We must make a successful transition from treatment to prevention by building our health system. But from now let's take pride and rejoice in our collective success."
Liberia, once the country worst hit by the Ebola outbreak, hopes to have no new cases by the end of next month. The virus has seen the west African nation and its neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone register almost 9,000 deaths in a year.
"We think we can make it to zero by the end of February latest," Liberian Commerce Minister Axel Addy told reporters in Geneva. "We're quite optimistic."
According to the latest figures, the number of registered cases in Liberia is now down to just five against a peak of more than 300 a week in August and September.
Source: AFP
Mistakes With Ebola Must be a Lesson: WHO
The chief of World Health Organization admitted on Sunday that the UN agency had been handling Ebola issue carelessly, saying it should serve as a lesson to avoid similar mistakes in future.
Advertisement
"Today we take pride that 13 of 15... counties have not reported new cases for 21 days," she said, referring to the virus's maximum incubation period.
"Our diligent doctors and health workers supported by international partners have brought joy to us. Ebola has made 3,000 orphans who need attention. I thank all the countries who came to our rescue when we thought all was lost."
However, the Liberian leader stressed, the outbreak was not yet over.
"We know we must continue relentlessly on the practices and protocols that have brought us this far. We must make a successful transition from treatment to prevention by building our health system. But from now let's take pride and rejoice in our collective success."
Liberia, once the country worst hit by the Ebola outbreak, hopes to have no new cases by the end of next month. The virus has seen the west African nation and its neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone register almost 9,000 deaths in a year.
"We think we can make it to zero by the end of February latest," Liberian Commerce Minister Axel Addy told reporters in Geneva. "We're quite optimistic."
According to the latest figures, the number of registered cases in Liberia is now down to just five against a peak of more than 300 a week in August and September.
Source: AFP
WHO Says That Falling Number of Ebola Cases Mark 'Turning Point' of the Epidemic
The WHO officials have said that the falling Ebola cases in West Africa in the three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone show a 'turning point' in the crisis.
Advertisement
 Guinea President Says That the Small West African Nation is 'Still at War' Against EbolaPresident of Guinea, Alpha Conde, said that his small west African nation is 'still at war' against Ebola. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest General Health News
Over 300 people had fallen sick with illness caused by Norovirus on a US cruise ship, say authorities.
Ex-smokers in Wakefield have shared their stories to encourage others to give up cigarettes on No Smoking Day 2023 which falls on 8th March.
Total levels of m6A in the nervous system rise with age and that (some) neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by RNA hypermethylation.
New study provides insights into the impact of early-life adversity on brain development and on control of reward behaviors that underlie emotional disorders
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will expand access to essential diagnostics in the country.