The World Health Organization has declared that ebola virus transmission has been stopped in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
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The country recorded the first ebola case in May 2014 and since then 8,704 people were infected and 3,589 have died, 221 of them being healthcare workers.
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However, 42 days have passed since the last person confirmed to have the disease had a second negative blood test, and the country now enters a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance, which will run until 5 February 2016.
Dr Anders Nordström, WHO representative in Sierra Leone, said: ““We now have a unique opportunity to support Sierra Leone to build a strong and resilient public health system ready to detect and respond to the next outbreak of disease, or any other public health threat.”
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WHO says this new phase is critical for ensuring early detection of any possible new cases of ebola virus disease.
