East Congo Ebola outbreak no longer an international emergency - WHO

A healthcare member inoculates a man for Ebola suspicion to take precautions against the disease in Butembo.
A healthcare member inoculates a man for Ebola suspicion to take precautions against the disease in Butembo. Photo credit: Getty

The World Health Organization has said the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo no longer constitutes an international public health emergency.

On Thursday the country's Minister of Health declared the end of the outbreak in North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu Provinces more than 42 days after the last person who contracted the virus tested negative twice and was discharged from care.

There have been 11 outbreaks recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the first one recognised in 1976. 

The WHO declared the latest outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2019, about a year after it was first detected. 

"It is time for the world to take notice and redouble our efforts. We need to work together in solidarity with the DRC to end this outbreak and build a better health system," said Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the time.

The epidemic, the second-largest on record, saw 3463 confirmed and probable cases and 2277 deaths over two years.

Reuters / Newshub