WHO Declares Ebola Epidemic Over In Liberia, Cautions Residents To Remain Vigilant

News outlets report on the WHO’s declaration that the Ebola epidemic is over in Liberia, which has been Ebola-free for 42 days.

Agence France-Presse: WHO declares Liberia Ebola-free
“The U.N. health agency on Saturday declared Liberia Ebola-free, hailing the ‘monumental’ achievement in the West African country where the virus has killed more than 4,700 people…” (5/9).

Associated Press: Liberia cautiously marks end of Ebola after 4,700 deaths
“…Saturday marks 42 days since Liberia’s last Ebola case — the benchmark used to declare the outbreak over because it represents two incubation periods of 21 days for new cases to emerge…” (Paye-Layleh/Larson, 5/9).

The Atlantic: Liberia’s Ebola Nightmare Is Over
“…The news was met with jubilation in Liberia, which along with Sierra Leone and Guinea was the country most affected by the virus. But officials tempered their joy with a note of caution…” (Schiavenza, 5/9).

Los Angeles Times: Liberia declared Ebola free, though risks remain, WHO warns
“… ‘While WHO is confident that Liberia has interrupted transmission, outbreaks persist in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone, creating a high risk that infected people may cross into Liberia over the region’s exceptionally porous borders,’ the [WHO] said in a statement Saturday…” (Dixon, 5/9).

New York Times: Liberia Is Declared Free of Ebola, but Officials Sound Note of Caution
“…The room, packed with reporters, workers from Doctors Without Borders and other aid agencies and dignitaries, including the American ambassador to Liberia, Deborah R. Malac, burst into applause, and some people cried, according to health officials who were present…” (Fink, 5/9).

New York Times: Liberia, Ravaged by Ebola, Faces a Future Without It
“…Local and international health officials are now focusing on extinguishing the waning Ebola epidemic in Guinea and Sierra Leone. But they have a bigger goal as well: shoring up beleaguered health systems that were inadequate long before Ebola struck…” (Onishi, 5/8).

New York Times: Liberia Conquers Ebola, but Faces a Crisis of Faith
“…Desperately, the country is trying to rebuild just about everything, from its health and education systems to its economy and international image. But in the dim hall of the United God Is Our Light Church, its generator turned off to shave costs, the congregation has been trying to repair something more fundamental: its spirit…” (Onishi, 5/9).

Reuters: Liberia declared Ebola-free, but outbreak continues over border
“…President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who toured Ebola treatment units in the capital Monrovia, said that, while Liberia could take pride in winning the battle against the disease, work was not finished…” (Toweh/Giahyue, 5/10).

U.N. News Centre: Ebola virus transmission ends in Liberia — U.N. health agency
“…The [WHO] said it will maintain an enhanced staff presence in Liberia until the end of the year as the response transitions from outbreak control, to vigilance for imported cases, to the recovery of essential health services…” (5/9).

Washington Post: In Liberia, Ebola outbreak is declared officially over
“…Following Liberia’s announcement, the White House press secretary Josh Earnest released a statement praising the milestone and highlighting the Obama administration’s continued support…” (Holley, 5/9).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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