WHO declares Democratic Republic of the Congo free of Ebola

GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday.

The health agency's announcement comes after the Central African country saw no new Ebola cases for a requisite period of 42 days.

The Ebola outbreak in DRC, the country's seventh since 1976, was unrelated to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa, WHO noted.

A total of 66 Ebola cases were recorded in DRC, including eight health workers. Forty-nine of those infected died from the virus.

"By 20 November, 42 days had passed since the last case tested negative twice and was discharged from the hospital... Having reached that 42-day mark, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now considered free of Ebola transmission."

WHO credited DRC's "strong leadership and effective coordination" for successfully containing the outbreak, quickly mobilizing expert teams and engaging traditional, religious and community leaders.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General Kandeh Yumkella told CNN on Thursday that he was "cautiously optimistic" the Ebola outbreak in West Africa will be contained.