Audio By Carbonatix
A village in Sierra Leone has become one of the last areas in the country to be released from an Ebola quarantine.
President Ernest Bai Koroma lifted the quarantine in person, sparking wild celebrations from the more than 500 people who had been isolated for the past three weeks.
He said it was the beginning of the end for the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
More than 11,000 people have died since the start of the Ebola outbreak in parts of West Africa.
One young woman who gave birth three days into the quarantine told the BBC's Umaru Fofana that she now felt "happy and free".
Being under quarantine with armed soldiers blocking anyone from going in or out of the village felt like living in "a real prison", one resident told our correspondent.
The northern village of Massessebe in the Tonkilili District was placed under quarantine after a visitor to the area died from the virus, becoming the first case in the area for 150 days.
There are now only two Ebola patients left in the entire country, both of whom were infected by the victim in Massessebe village.
The World Health Organization says Ebola can be defeated by the end of the year.
Only a few new weekly cases have been recorded in West Africa recently.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana is rising again – Mahama declares
4 hours -
Firefighters subdue blaze at Accra’s Tudu, officials warn of busy fire season ahead
4 hours -
New Year’s Luv FM Family Party in the park ends in grand style at Rattray park
4 hours -
Mahama targets digital schools, universal healthcare, and food self-sufficiency in 2026
4 hours -
Ghana’s global image boosted by our world-acclaimed reset agenda – Mahama
5 hours -
Full text: Mahama’s New Year message to the nation
5 hours -
The foundation is laid; now we accelerate and expand in 2026 – Mahama
5 hours -
There is no NPP, CPP nor NDC Ghana, only one Ghana – Mahama
5 hours -
Eduwatch praises education financing gains but warns delays, teacher gaps could derail reforms
5 hours -
Kusaal Wikimedians take local language online in 14-day digital campaign
6 hours -
Stop interfering in each other’s roles – Bole-Bamboi MP appeals to traditional rulers for peace
6 hours -
Playback: President Mahama addressed the nation in New Year message
7 hours -
Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union call for strong work ethics, economic participation in 2026 new year message
9 hours -
Crossover Joy: Churches in Ghana welcome 2026 with fire and faith
9 hours -
Traffic chaos on Accra–Kumasi Highway leaves hundreds stranded as diversions gridlock
9 hours
