Sierra Leone is Ebola free… re

Sierra Leone is Ebola free… residents hold candlelight vigil for those who died [pictures]

With no new cases reported in the last 42 days, Sierra Leone is officially Ebola free.

Sierra Leone is Ebola free… re

After 42 days of no new cases, Sierra Leone was official declared Ebola free. On Saturday night, residents of Freetown gathered underneath the giant Cotton Tree in the city centre to hold a candlelight vigil for those who died.

The epidemic killed around 4000 residents and 200 health workers. According to Reuters, the country’s first confirmed Ebola survivor, Victoria Yillia, told the crowd she was “happy that this disease which almost killed me has finally ended”.

But the fight is not over yet. Those who have survived the disease now face social stigma and persistent health problems. Still, on Saturday night, Freetown and the rest of the country had reason to be solemnly content.