EXTINGUISHING THE OUTBREAK
As with many outbreaks in history, the declaration of victory may still be premature. In Liberia, for example, the country was declared “Ebola-free” on May 9, 2015.[6] However, within two months of this date, at least 3 new cases of Ebola surfaced, all allegedly linked to consumption of dog meat.[6] An estimated 175 people were reportedly linked to cases under surveillance in this latest episode.[6] Fortunately, the situation appears to have improved again as the country was declared free of the EBOV transmission for the second time on September 3, 2015.[7] Then, there were 2 confirmed cases of Ebola in the week leading up to September 6, 2015 (1 in Guinea and 1 in Sierra Leone).[7] Overall, the incidence has remained stable at two or three cases per week for the six consecutive weeks leading up to September 6, 2015.[78] Around that time, there were three active chains of transmission, two in guinea and one in Sierra Leone.[8] In addition, the WHO has announced that it is monitoring 2000 contacts in Guinea and Sierra Leone.[9] Moreover, the WHO also warned that the arrival of the rainy season may significantly complicate the logistics of Ebola outbreak containment, specifically listing the three countries hit hardest by the disease - Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.[9] While the recent incidence of Ebola has been very low and the outbreak relatively well contained, the optimism must be tempered with continued vigilance.[78101112] Recently, Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma prematurely announced the end of the country's Ebola quarantine after a 2-week “Ebola-free” status.[10] A country meets “Ebola-free” status once 42 days have passed since the last confirmed case has tested negative for the virus on two separate samples. The WHO recommends an additional 90-day surveillance period after the 42 days have elapsed.[13]