MONROVIA, Liberia – Tolbert Nyenswah, the head of the Ebola Incident Management Team, says Liberia is on the verge of being declared Ebola free. On the other hand, the high rate of reported cases from Sierra Leone and Guinea put Liberia at Risk. He made the disclosure Thursday at the Monrovia City Hall.

According to Nyenswah, Liberia has not reported any new Ebola cases in 24 days. He added that Liberia has been Ebola free for the last 18 days.

Nyenswah said that the highest hit counties Margibi and Montserrado counties have had no contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.
On March 5, Beatrice Yardolo, a 58-year-old English teacher, became the last Ebola patient to be cured of the disease. She has been discharged from the treatment center.

Nyenswah said he expected Liberia to be declared Ebola free in April.

According to WHO, a country can be declared Ebola free once 42 days (six weeks) have passed and no new cases have been detected. The 42 days represents twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days). This 42-day period starts from the last day that any person in the country had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.

Nyenswah lauded both local and international partners for their support. He also praised Liberians for continuing to adhere to the Ebola prevention measures that were recommended by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

However, Nyenswah warned that most of the fresh cases reported from Sierra Leone are closer to Liberia’s Border.

“Liberia is at risk as we speak despite all of our efforts made to curb this disease, our neighbors are still reporting fresh cases and they are closer to us,” Nyenswah said.

Featured photo courtesy of UNMIL/Emmanuel Tobey