Last Ebola patient in Congo leaves treatment centre

The last Ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of Congo has left a treatment centre in Beni, a city in the east of the country, having been given the all clear.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the news on Twitter, calling it “An emotional day”.

A video posted alongside the message showed Masiko, the last patient, emerging from the centre to jubilant celebration. 

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said “There are currently zero cases of Ebola in DRC after over a year of fighting this outbreak.

“So proud of all those involved in the response. We are hopeful, yet cautiously optimistic that we will soon bring this outbreak to an end”.

Over 2,300 people have been killed since this latest Ebola outbreak hit DR Congo in 2018.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO, said there had been no new infections reported in the last two weeks, adding “This is very encouraging, but the outbreak is not over and we are still in full response mode”.

DR Congo will now have to go 42 days without a new reported case of Ebola before it can be declared free of the virus.

Photo: Twitter/WHO African Region