By Umaru Fofana
The last known Ebola patient in Sierra Leone has been discharged from the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown.
38-year-old Memunatu Kalokoh was infected by her niece, Mariatu Jalloh who died in Magburaka on 12 January after returning from Barmoi Luma in Kambia District, northern Sierra Leone.
Her death, two months after the World Health Organisation had declared the end of the outbreak in the country, came as a rude awakening to Sierra Leoneans and the world, also because it came just a day after the outbreak had been declared over in West Africa.
According to Dr. Col. Sahr Foday, the head of the Sierra Leone Army Medial Unit that treated Memunatu, she was discharged on Friday 5 February.
“We are heartened that we were able to treat her until she recovered and our hospital, which never closed even after the outbreak had initially been declared over, will remain open at all times in case there are any new cases”, the Col told Politico.
Memunatu has now returned to her native Magburaka in the Tonkolili district.
SidiYahyah Tunis, spokesman for the health ministry, said the discharge meant the country had again started the 42-day countdown and if there are no new cases in that time the outbreak will be declared over.
“This is good news for the country but we will nevertheless remain focused and vigilant so we don't miss any cases that may still be in these communities” Tunis said.
10 of the dozens of missing contacts linked to the new outbreak have reappeared and are being observed, a leaked UN report says.
Tunis urged the remaining missing contacts to come forward assuring “there will be no punitive action against them and we will treat them if they are sick.”
(C) Politico 09/02/16
