WHO Certifies Liberia as 'Ebola-free', African Union Grateful to Leaders for Support

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African union, thanked partners from across the world for eradicating Ebola and rebuilding the health systems.

Finally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certifies Liberia as Ebola-free. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission has congratulated Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the government and the people of Liberia for overcoming the Ebola epidemic in their country.

This is a victory for the people and government of Liberia, and a victory of all Africans and the international community, who rallied in solidarity to support them in this fight, said the chairperson.

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"Although we may see a great improvement in combating the pandemic, the global community, however, must understand that the fight against Ebola is not yet over. As such, strengthening healthcare systems and surveillance systems should continuously remain at the core of responding to the disease until the African continent is free of Ebola," said Dlamini-Zuma.

"It gives us, as Africans, great pleasure to see Liberia Ebola-free. This is testament to the notion that if we stand together as a continent, we can achieve great things for Africa and in this case, defeating the Ebola virus in one of the most affected countries in West Africa," she said.

"Today is a particularly significant day for AU, which through its AU Mission to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) sent 300 qualified African health workers to treat and care for Ebola victims in Liberia alone," she added.

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In total, ASEOWA has contributed over 800 health workers to the three most affected countries -- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

"ASEOWA also played a big part in rebuilding the health systems of the affected countries. As a sign of the improvements on the ground, we have now started drawing down our health workers," noted Dlamini-Zuma.

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It's a huge victory for Liberia that had reported the highest number of deaths in the largest, and most complex outbreak since Ebola first emerged in 1976.

She also expressed her gratitude to African leaders who rallied to the call made by the AU Commission for health workers.

The chairperson thanked partners from all parts of the world who have been and continue to be instrumental in helping the affected countries get to zero.

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Liberia will remain alert of threats such as the possibility that someone with Ebola might get into the country under the radar and spread the disease.

Source-Medindia