WHO declares Senegal and Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission
In the past days, the World Health Organisation declared Senegal and Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission.
In the past days, the World Health Organisation declared Senegal and Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission. This is a positive development as both countries have set a good example of how to respond to an imported case or an outbreak of Ebola. It also shows that developing countries are doing major efforts to improve their preparedness plans and implementing effective responses.
Senegal
An introduced case of Ebola was confirmed on 29 August. The infected person had travelled to Dakar, by road, from Guinea, where he had had direct contact with an Ebola patient. There was no further transmission of Ebola in Senegal from this case. On 5 September, laboratory samples from the patient tested negative, indicating that he had recovered from Ebola virus disease. In the statement published on the WHO page, it is stressed that while the outbreak is officially over, “Senegal’s geographical position makes the country vulnerable to additional imported cases of Ebola virus disease. It continues to remain vigilant for any suspected cases by strict compliance with WHO guidelines”.
Nigeria
On the 23 July, the laboratory confirmation of the country’s first Ebola case in Lagos was announced. It was an introduced case, the infected person had travelled from Liberia by air. The outbreak resulted in 20 cases including eight deaths in Lagos and Port Harcourt. On 20 October, 42 days after the last isolated case tested negative, WHO declared the country free of Ebola virus transmission.
More information:
WHO statement: WHO congratulates Senegal on ending Ebola transmission (17 October 2014)
WHO Statement: Nigeria is now free of Ebola virus transmission (20 October)
