The Democratic Republic of Congo has discharged the last Ebola patient as the country has now gone 13 days without a confirmed case of the deadly virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the latest development on Tuesday, saying the patient had been released from the Ebola treatment center in Beni.

The patient's discharge was met with celebration in the northeastern city as residents and health officials welcomed the patient only identified as Masiko back to the community.

Since the DR Congo Ebola outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018, more than 3,400 people were infected and over 2,200 lives lost.

In response to the Ebola outbreak, the DR Congo vaccinated over 290 000 people, with WHO reporting a 97.5% efficacy.

WHO pledged to remain in full response mode for the remainder of the observation period as the DR Congo aims to be declared Ebola free.

A country is only considered Ebola free after 42 days have passed since the last confirmed case tested negative twice for the virus on blood samples. After the 42-day period has elapsed, each country is required to maintain a system of heightened surveillance for a further 90 days.

Source(s): World Health Organization