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MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — The World Health Organization has declared Liberia free of Ebola, after 42 days passed without any new cases. That's twice the maximum incubation period for the deadly disease.
While celebrating the milestone, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told The Associated Press that for some survivors, "the pain and grief will take a generation to heal."
She praised the international community's help in getting Liberia to zero cases, but also criticized the slow initial response to the epidemic in West Africa.
Sirleaf called the damage done by the worst Ebola outbreak in history "a scar on the conscience of the world."
The epidemic has claimed more than 4,700 lives in Liberia.
A White House statement congratulated Liberia but urged vigilance to keep Ebola from coming back.
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