Ebola Outbreak in Congo Officially Declared Over After Three Months

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been officially declared over by health officials, having gone 42 days without new cases since its declaration on September 4. With 64 cases resulting in 45 deaths and 19 recoveries, Congo's enhanced surveillance efforts were pivotal in containment.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially declared an end to its Ebola outbreak, thanks to coordinated efforts by Congolese health officials and the World Health Organization. The announcement follows a 42-day stretch without any new cases being recorded.

Initially declared on September 4, the outbreak marked Congo's first since 2022 and involved 64 cases, resulting in 45 fatalities and 19 recoveries. The WHO praised the swift action of Congo's revamped national surveillance system, which was instrumental in containing the outbreak within three months.

The nation is now entering a 90-day heightened disease surveillance period. This marks the 16th Ebola outbreak in the country since the disease's identification in 1976, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by this deadly virus endemic to Congo.

(With inputs from agencies.)