MWE Correspondent
A wave of relief has swept across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after health officials announced that the last patient infected with the Ebola virus had been discharged from a treatment centre on Sunday.
The development marks a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing fight against the deadly disease and sets the stage for a 42-day countdown to officially declaring the outbreak over — provided no new cases emerge.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the news in a statement, describing it as a “major step forward” in efforts to end the recent outbreak that began in early September in the Bulape Health Zone, located in Kasai Province. According to WHO, health workers and local authorities have been working tirelessly to contain the spread through early testing, community surveillance, and vaccination campaigns.
In a video shared on social media, medical staff could be seen applauding and celebrating as the final patient left the treatment centre — a symbol of hope after weeks of intense effort. For frontline health workers, the moment was not just the end of a medical case, but the culmination of countless hours spent caring for patients, tracing contacts, and calming communities gripped by fear.
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Since the start of the outbreak, at least 64 infections were recorded, with 53 confirmed and 11 classified as probable cases. Twenty-one people recovered, while others tragically lost their lives to the virus. Despite the challenges of limited infrastructure and remote terrain, response teams managed to contain the outbreak within weeks — a success that health experts attribute to rapid coordination between the DRC Ministry of Health and international partners.
WHO Africa’s regional director praised the dedication of Congolese health workers, noting that their experience in previous outbreaks has been instrumental in achieving quick control this time around. “The discharge of the last patient is an encouraging sign of resilience and vigilance,” the organization said, urging continued caution until the end of the 42-day observation period.
While the last patient’s release brings joy, health authorities are reminding the public that the threat has not fully passed. Surveillance and contact-tracing teams remain on the ground to monitor any new symptoms that could signal a resurgence. Communities are also being encouraged to report suspected cases immediately to prevent another wave of infections.
