The Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday declared the country ebola free, after clearing out the 13th outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

Congolese health authorities announced this after no new cases were reported at the end of a 42-day countdown, or two incubation periods after the last confirmed case was discharged.

“Stronger disease surveillance, community engagement, targeted vaccination and prompt response are making for more effective Ebola containment in the region,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “During this outbreak, the Democratic Republic of Congo was able to limit widespread infections and save lives. Crucial lessons are being learned and applied with every outbreak experience.”

In total, 11 cases and six deaths were reported in the outbreak that was declared on October 8 after a new case was confirmed in the country’s North Kivu Province. This was the country’s 13th outbreak and occurred in the same area as the 2018 outbreak which ravaged the region for two years.

A vaccination campaign kicked off five days after the first case was detected, and the recently-licensed ERVEBO vaccine against Ebola was used for the first time in the country. More than 1,800 people were vaccinated in the campaign.  

In support of the country, the health body deployed experts, supplies, and funds to help contain the outbreak, the statement notes that health authorities will continue to observe the region in the event of a fresh outbreak and will be ready to respond quickly and contain the spread. 

The health body said that results from the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research found that the first Ebola case detected in the just-ended outbreak likely represented a new flare-up of the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak.

In addition to the precautions taken by health authorities, Congo has set up an Ebola Survivor Programme which currently has over 1100 people from previous outbreaks in North Kivu Province. The two survivors from the now-ended outbreak have been enrolled in the survivor programme. For the next 18 months, they will receive monthly check-ups, which include medical evaluations, psychological and nutritional support.