Monrovia, 13 August 2015 – Liberia has embarked on another 42-day countdown in its fight to end Ebola. This declaration of international importance comes after the Government of Liberia, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners have been able to contain the re-emergence of the disease that occurred on 29 June 2015.

Liberia lost its Ebola-free status when a 17 year old boy from Margibi county died. A total of six persons contracted the disease, two of whom died. From these four cases and two deaths, 134 contacts were line-listed and monitored for 21 days. Luckily, none of them developed Ebola symptoms. 

The last two survivors were discharged after completing treatment and testing negative for EVD for a second time on 23 July. In addition, on 2 August, the last 16 contacts completed the 21-day quarantine cycle and an official ceremony was organized to reintegrate them back into the community and celebrate being cleared of possible infection.

Massah Mulbah, a 27 year old from Monrovia was one of the last contacts who were considered at risk when his younger brother contracted Ebola. On the day of the ceremony, he was relieved and thankful that his brother had survived. “I thank WHO, CDC and partners, community leaders and the task force members who supported us,” he said. “My brother fell sick and was taken to the ETU [Ebola Treatment Unit] and he is alive because of God and he received the necessary care and support from all of you. Thank you.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Fred Amegashie, County Health Officer for Montserrado County said: “I commend WHO and partners for their immediate response and hard work in interrupting the EVD transmission chain. I also thank the quarantined family for your cooperation and staying at your house and the community at large for your support. I appeal to the community members to continue supporting the reintegrated family members as they grieve the loss of their loved one who was not as lucky to have survived.”

Dr Mehboob Badini, the WHO Montserrado County Coordinator also applauded the contributions of all stakeholders in containing the outbreak and stressed the need for continued vigilance since there is still active EVD transmission in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone and Guinea. 

Indeed, the country remains vigilant. Intensified surveillance, infection prevention and control (IPC), and active social mobilization continue throughout the country. WHO has provided both technical and logistical support to the response, and is contributing to heightening surveillance and on-going IPC countywide.

Liberia has an estimated 1500 EVD survivors some of whom suffer from disabling and persistent symptoms related to EVD. To ensure access to health care for survivors, the Ministry of Health with support from WHO has developed the first ever Ebola survivor’s clinical guidelines. These guidelines have been validated and will be rolled out for use in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea after being officially launched. 

The guidelines are meant to help health care providers incorporate and deliver EVD clinical services as an integral component of the routine health care services and prevent stigmatization. Targeted health care providers for the guidelines include general practitioners, medical assistants, nurses as well as eye care providers.

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For more information contact:

Technical contact:
Dr Thompson Uwhomena IGBU 
Email: igbut [at] who.int " target="_blank"> igbut [at] who.int

Communications contact:
Luwaga Liliane
Email: luwagal [at] who.int ( )