The Democratic Republic of the Congo has on Saturday, discharged last Ebola patient, marking an important milestone in the efforts to end the outbreak.
According to World Health Organization in a statement revealed that this latest development begins the recovery kicks off a 42-day countdown to declaring the outbreak over if no further cases are confirmed.
It also revealed that a total of 19 patients have recovered from the disease and no new cases have been reported since 25 September.
In total, 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable) have been reported since the outbreak was declared on 4 September in Bulape health zone, in Kasai Province.
Despite the challenges of distance, poor roads, and limited infrastructure, the Ministry of Health in Congo, with strong support from WHO and partners, acted swiftly to scale up outbreak response measures.
WHO deployed multidisciplinary teams to strengthen surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention, control, logistics, community engagement and other key response measures.
A 32-bed Ebola treatment centre, fitted with a two-bed Intensive Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IIDTM), was set up in record time, first deployment of its kind outside a simulation exercise setting in the region. 
Additionally, more than 35 000 people have been vaccinated against Ebola in Bulape. If no new cases are detected, the outbreak will be declared over in early December 2025.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi said “the recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak was declared is a remarkable achievement that shows how strong partnership, national expertise and determination have contributed to overcoming challenges to save and protect lives”.
WHO and partners remains on the ground, working closely with government to ensure measures are maintained to swiftly detect and respond to any cases as the country counts down to the end of the outbreak.
