The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Saturday that Liberia is finally Ebola-free. Not one casualty was reported after 42 days since the last laboratory-confirmed case was buried in March 28.

"Interruption of transmission is a monumental achievement for a country that reported the highest number of deaths in the largest, longest, and most complex outbreak since Ebola first emerged in 1976," WHO said in a statement.

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A 44-year-old woman from the capital city Monrovia was the last casualty. She was diagnosed on March 20, died on March 27, and was buried the day after. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on May 1 that she acquired the disease from having unprotected sexual intercourse with an Ebola-survivor. The woman's case is still under further investigation.

The country experienced its peak of transmission in August and September of 2014. Back then, 300 to 400 cases were reported every week. Although all of Liberia's counties reported cases, the hardest hit of the Ebola outbreak is Monrovia, with patients dying on hospital grounds and bodies were left for days before being collected.

With so many cases, the government's health services were not enough, causing victims to die in their houses, worsening the virus' transmission.  WHO commended the health workers who sacrificed their lives to treat Ebola patients.

"Doctors and nurses continued to treat patients, even when supplies of personal protective equipment and training in its safe use were inadequate. Altogether, 375 health workers were infected and 189 lost their lives.

Neighboring countries Guinea and Sierra Leone are not as lucky. The Ebola outbreak continues in these two countries, posing a high risk on infected people that may cross Liberia's borders.

Despite being Ebola-free, the government is still on high alert.

"The government is fully aware of the need to remain on high alert and has the experience, capacity, and support from international partners to do so.  WHO will maintain an enhanced staff presence in Liberia until the end of the year as the response transitions from outbreak control," the statement said. 

TagsEbola-free countries, Ebola in Africa, last Ebola case, Ebola in Sierra Leone, Ebola in Guinea