GENEVA, November 21. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday officially declared the Democratic Republic of Congo free of Ebola virus disease.

According to the WHO, no Ebola cases have been registered in the country in the past 42 days, or twice as long as the Ebola incubation period.

The Ebola outbreak started in the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 24, 2014. In all, there have been 66 cases, including eight among medical personnel. As many as 49 deaths have been reported.

The WHO said the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was not related to the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.

The World Health Organization describes Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) as “a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%.” Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. The incubation period is from 2 to 21 days. There is no known cure or vaccine for the disease. The only treatment offered is “supportive intensive care."