Democratic Republic of Congo has declared itself Ebola free in an official statement on Monday.
The announcement comes almost three months after a resurgence of the epidemic in the four health zones in North Kivu, the Eastern region of the country.
“On this Monday, May 3, 2021, I am pleased to solemnly declare the end of the twelfth epidemic of the Ebola virus disease in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani.
He added that the end of the epidemic was made possible by vaccines from the American laboratory Merck Sharp and Dohme.
The World Health Organization in a statement also certified that the country has witnessed the end of the Ebola virus outbreak.
“Earlier today, the government of the #DRCFlag of Congo – Kinshasa announced the end of the most recent #Ebola outbreak, three months after the first case was reported in North Kivu.
“I congratulate the govt, health workers, communities & all WHO staff who were involved in the response,” the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the statement.
“This has only been possible thanks to a concerted, comprehensive and consistent approach, using vaccines and therapeutics alongside proven public health measures, with empowered and engaged communities.”
The resurgence of the Ebola virus from February 7 led to a total of 12 recorded cases that resulted in 6 deaths.
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