Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have officially declared an end to the latest Ebola outbreak, which caused at least 34 confirmed deaths since August.
The head of the National Institute of Public Health, Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, announced that the outbreak had “effectively ended,” noting that 53 cases were confirmed.
He added that another 11 suspected deaths likely linked to the virus could bring the total to 45.
The outbreak began in late August in Kasai Province after a pregnant woman tested positive.
A nationwide vaccination campaign was launched in mid-September, supported by global partners who supplied 45,000 doses of Ebola vaccine.
DR Congo has now recorded 16 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified within its borders in 1976.
