THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

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declared Nigeria free of the deadly Ebola Virus.
Nigeria has not recorded a new case of Ebola for
42 days or two incubation period of 21 days.
WHO representative, Rui Gama Vaz, who said it
was a “spectacular success story”, added that
“Nigeria is now free of Ebola.
“This is a spectacular success story … It shows
that Ebola can be contained but we must be
clear that we have only won a battle, the war
will only end when West Africa is also declared
free of Ebola”, he said.
The disease gained entry into the country in July
when Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, came in on
diplomatic assignment.
The diplomat had fallen ill and was admitted at
the First Consultants Hospital, Obalende, in
Lagos.
Nigeria had 20 cases in total, of which eight
died.
The outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people
in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea, and
Sierra Leone.
An estimated 70% of those infected have died in
those countries.
The WHO officially declared Senegal Ebola-free
on Friday.
Official Statement By WHO country
representative, Rui Gama Vaz
Today 20th October, 42 days(twice the incubation
period) after the last confirmed case of ebola virus
disease was discharged from the isolation ward
having tested negative for Ebola virus, the chains
of transmission have been broken.
WHO officially declares that Nigeria is now free of
Ebola virus transmission. The virus is gone for
now. The outbreak in Nigeria has been contained.
But we must be clear that we only won a battle.
The war will only end when West Africa is also
declared free of ebola.
While the outbreak is now officially over, Nigeria’s
geographical position and extensive borders makes
the country vulnerable to additional imported cases
of ebola virus disease. It is therefore critical to
continue vigilance for any suspected cases by
strict compliance with WHO EVD preparedness
guidelines. Therefore there is need to continue to
work together with states to ensure adequate
preparedness to rapidly respond, in case of any
potential re-importation.
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