(MENAFN) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has officially announced the conclusion of the Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province following a 42-day period without new infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday.

The countdown commenced on October 19, marking the discharge of the final patient from treatment.

The epidemic was first identified in September in the town of Bulape, representing the 16th outbreak documented in the country since Ebola’s initial discovery in 1976. Kasai Province had also faced previous outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.

“Today is an important day for the Ministry of Health, because we have good news, we are here... to announce the end of an Ebola epidemic,” stated Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, as reported by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).

Data from WHO indicates that the outbreak accounted for 64 cases, including 53 confirmed and 11 classified as probable, resulting in 45 fatalities.

Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, lauded the rapid response, calling the containment achieved within three months “a remarkable achievement.”

He emphasized that national authorities, medical personnel, partner organizations, and local communities collaborated effectively in one of the nation’s most remote and challenging regions.

For the first time during an Ebola emergency, health officials utilized an Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM), a specialized care unit developed by WHO, the World Food Program (WFP), and other partners, according to WHO.

The module is designed to enhance safety for healthcare workers while providing more efficient treatment for patients.

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