On March 29, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Ebola is no longer an international emergency. However, there may still be small clusters flaring up, and the deadly disease might just be hiding in the eyes of survivors.
“The original Ebola outbreak has come to an end. The original chains of transmission are terminated now,” said Dr. Robert Stefen, vice chairman of the WHO emergency committee, in an article by the New York Times.
The latest ebola epidemic started in December 2013, affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Over 28,000 were affected, while over 11,000 died but the spread has since been reportedly contained. WHO director general Dr. Margaret Chan stated that Ebola is no longer an international emergency and the potential spread of the disease internationally is already low. Dr. Chan also asked other countries to immediately lift existing bans on trade and travel.
WHO stated that the three countries successfully passed the observation period, which lasted 42 days, as well as the surveillance period of 90 days without new cases connected to the original Ebola transmission chain.
However, flare-ups should be expected, similar to other Ebola outbreaks. Dr. Steffen explained that majority of flare-ups were most likely transmitted through the semen of survivors. Studies showed the Ebola can remain in semen for 12 to 15 months in some men. WHO employees continue to stay alert for existing Ebola risks, although some had the opportunity to refocus on other health threats and diseases.
The Atlantic also reports that although the epidemic has been contained, Ebola may still exist in the eyes of survivors. Over 7,000 Ebola survivors in West Africa showed new ophthalmic symptoms that could result to complications like cataracts, eye inflammation and blindness, if left untreated. It is likely that live Ebola virus can replicate in the eyes of survivors and continue to pose threats to other individuals.
It is still unknown whether the matter within the eye is contagious, passing to the surgical instruments and then to unaffected patients. Until then, Ebola survivors exhibiting symptoms in their eyes remain untreated. Many are left to deal with their condition or wait until they fully go blind.
Studies are still being conducted to determine whether it is safe to operate on the eyes of Ebola survivors without the risk of contamination. Health providers affirm that a lot of suffering still exists in the provinces.
