Just hours after West Africa was declared Ebola-free, officials in Sierra Leone have confirmed that there has been a new death from the disease in the north of the country.
The death is said to have occurred “earlier this week”, according to the BBC, with tests confirming that it was due to Ebola. Officials are said to be seeking those who came into contact with the victim to contain the spread of the disease.
Sierra Leone was first declared Ebola-free on November 7. Now, the clock resets: It will have to go 42 days — twice the incubation period of Ebola — without any new cases of the disease being confirmed in order to regain the status.
Yesterday, the World Health Organisation announced West Africa Ebola-free, which is now no longer the case. It also warned that small flare-ups such as this remain incredibly likely.
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Image by USAID