Sierra Leone claims 21 days Ebola free

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, October 18, 2015
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Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma addressed the nation Saturday on the country's first 21 days of Ebola free countdown.

He described over four thousand Ebola survivors in the country as heroes and called on people not to fear them.

In a nationwide address to mark the first incubation period of 21 days in the 42 day World Health Organisation (WHO) Ebola countdown, Koroma said "the event marks a significant milestone in the nation's fight against Ebola and there is no doubt that victory is within our reach".

"All Sierra Leoneans should be proud of what we have achieved together and put aside fear and ignorance on our dealings with the over four thousand survivors who are our heroes," he said.

The head of state declared that "all dead bodies will continue to be swapped to be certain that a single case (of Ebola) will not be missed".

"We will fight Ebola together and we will win together and we will not relax our guard," he added.

Koroma's address came two days after four people were arrested and charged with illegal washing of bodies at a ceremony in the fishing village of Goderich in the west end of the city.

The last case of Ebola in the country was recorded on September 13 in the north while the last patient was discharged from the treatment centre.

According to WHO "a country can only be declared Ebola free after 42 days of the last confirmed case", and for Sierra Leone November 8 is the date the country will be declared "Ebola free".

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