Dozens released Ebola-free from Sierra Leone site

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Dozens of Ebola survivors were discharged from a treatment center near Sierra leone's capital today and told they were virus-free.

The third group released from the Hastings Treatment center, which included 45 patients, were also issued with health certificates they proudly held up.

Hawanatu Turay, 14, said she was happy to be feeling healthy again.

"I feel good because nothing hurts me anymore and I am feeling fine, I can do anything I want to do. I am happy, I can eat fine, my stomach hurts no more, my head aches no more and also my neck, nothing hurts and I have no more pains," Hawanatu said.

She is among only 130 patients who have been treated and released from the facility, which is run by Sierra Leone doctors and nurses and started operating Sept. 19.

Such releases are glimmers of hope in an outbreak that has infected some 9,000 people and killed more than 4,500 in the hardest-hit countries in West Africa — Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The World Health Organization said there have been more than 3,400 infections in Sierra Leone with about 1,200 deaths.