Sierra Leone has
reported a death from the Ebola virus -- a major setback hours after global
experts said the outbreak was over in West Africa. The patient got sick at a town bordering
Guinea, said Sidi Tunis, a spokesman at an Ebola response center in Sierra
Leone.
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The Ebola epidemic
killed about 11,300 people and infected 28,600 others, It has devastated
families, communities and economic systems since it emerged in late 2013.
Evidence shows the virus can remain in the semen of male survivors for as long
as a year. In rare instances, it can be transmitted to sexual partners. Health officials are tracing anyone who may
have had contact with the deceased.
Despite the clearance, health experts urged caution and vigilance,
saying there may be some flare-ups. And
like Liberia, the virus has also resurfaced in Sierra Leone. Liberia was first declared free of Ebolatransmission in May, but the virus returned twice after that, with the latest
case in November.
On January 14, the
organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak that killed about 11,300
people and infected 28,600 others, mostly in the West African countries of
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Flare-ups,
though, were anticipated. The declaration meant only that the three nations had
reported zero cases for at least 42 consecutive days, or two 21-day incubation
cycles of the virus.
Lessons of the
disease have taught us that countries that have experienced recent active
transmission of Ebola remain at high risk of these small-flare ups, which is
why strong prevention, detection and response systems must remain in place and
communities must remain vigilant.
Flare-ups have happened before. Liberia was first declared free of Ebola
transmission in May, but the virus has returned twice, with the latest case in
November.
