For the first time in more than a year, there are no people in Sierra Leone being treated for Ebola virus disease and no confirmed cases of the virus, according to the World Health Organization.
Adama Sankoh, a palm oil trader and the last Ebola patient being treated in the West African country, was released from an Ebola treatment unit in Makheni as healthcare workers and locals celebrated.
Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma presented Ms. Sankoh with a certificate confirming her negative Ebola virus status, calling her release "the beginning of the end of Ebola."
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, President Koroma noted that Ebola transmission would not be considered officially over in Sierra Leone until WHO declares the country free of cases for 42 consecutive days with no case. The 42-day period began on Tuesday, according to the WHO report.
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