The World Health Organisation (WHO) today declared Nigeria free from Ebola.

No new confirmed cases have been reported for 42 days, which is twice the Ebola incubation period, WHO said.

The UN organisation attributed Nigeria’s success in containing Ebola to the rapid adaptation of a polio emergency plan to the virus, information campaigns and international support.

Nigeria confirmed 19 Ebola cases, seven of whom died, giving the country a fatality rate of 40 per cent - much lower than the 70 percent and higher seen elsewhere, WHO said.

- dpa