UNITED NATIONS — The head of the World Health Organization says the Ebola epidemic in West Africa can be defeated by the end of the year if the number of new cases drops to zero and remains at zero.
Dr. Margaret Chan told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that there have been no new cases in Liberia, and only three new cases in Sierra Leone and Guinea, in each of the last two weeks, the lowest numbers in well over a year.
She says fears that the Ebola virus could be permanently established in humans in the region have also been defeated, which is "very good news."
But Chan also cautions against "a false sense of security."
UN official: Ebola epidemic could be defeated by end of 2015
The Ebola virus under the microscope. Philstar.com/AP/File