The last Ebola patient at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treatment centre in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, left dancing and smiling as healthcare workers in yellow protective suits, masks, gloves and face shields danced beside her.
Workers in green medical uniforms beat drums and rang bells, raising their hands as they sang and shouted. Medical staff and residents joined the celebration.
MSF published footage of the discharge celebrations on 28 October.
The centre is now treating no confirmed Ebola cases, its first period without a confirmed case since May.
The moment followed months of treatment at the facility, where patients stay between seven and ten days on average and face isolation from family and their communities.
The epidemic was officially declared on May 15 and is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. It has affected 66 health zones in eight of the 26 Congolese provinces.
Ituri, where the Mongbwalu centre has been treating patients, has accounted for 71.4% of all confirmed infections.
On 27 October, Congolese health authorities said Africa's latest outbreak had surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can cause life-threatening illness. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people.
Cases linked to the Congolese outbreak have also been detected in Kenya, which has recorded nine cases including two deaths, and Nigeria, which has recorded one case.
Uganda declared its outbreak over on August 26, after recording 20 confirmed infections, including 15 imported from the DRC, and two deaths.
MSF said the discharge in Mongbwalu did not signal the end of the epidemic. “The Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo is far from over and continues to spread,” the organisation said.
For those who leave the centre, recovery can bring further difficulties. Survivors have reported stigma on returning home, job losses and rejection by their communities.
Psychological support continues through the survivors' clinic after patients leave the treatment centre.
Comments (0)