Bamako, Mali (PANA) – Health authorities in Mali confirmed last week that the Ebola disease outbreak in the country had died down, but the West African nation must wait for three weeks without a new case before it can be declared free of the deadly disease in accordance with regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
No new case has been reported of late and all contacts who were placed under quarantine have been discharged, Mali’s Health and Public Hygiene Minister Ousmane Koné said at a news briefing, which was attended by Mali’s Coordinator for the Emergency Operational Centre, Professor Samba Sow, and WHO Resident Representative in Mali, Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall.
Though the epidemic was under control, Koné stressed that vigilance remains essential in order to avert a resurgence of the disease in the country.
According to the minister, Mali recorded two cases of the disease, the first being a two-year-old girl who got infected in Guinea and the second was a Guinean patient.
The girl died in Kayes while the second case was admitted to Pasteur private hospital on October 25, and died two days later.
Urging vigilance of the population in order to avoid risks of infection, Koné underlined the need for strong preventive measures, including notification to health authorities about any suspected case of Ebola disease.
