West African nations scrambled to contain
an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus
suspected to have killed at least 59
people in Guinea, with symptoms of the
disease reported in neighbouring Sierra
Leone and Liberia as well.
The spread of Ebola, one of the most
lethal infectious diseases known, has
spooked nations with weak health care
systems. In Guinea's southeast, home to
all the confirmed cases, residents are
avoiding large gatherings and prices in
some markets have spiked as transporters
avoid the area.
Health authorities in Liberia said they had
now recorded eight suspected cases of
Ebola, mainly in people who crossed the
border from Guinea.
Five of these had died but tests were still
being carried out to check if the cases
were indeed Ebola, the Reuters news
agency reported.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
said a total of 86 suspected cases,
including 59 deaths, had been reported in
southeastern Guinea near the border
with Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Laboratory tests have confirmed 13 cases
of Ebola in Guinea so far, the first
outbreak of the disease in West Africa.
"People are really frightened. They have
seen people die in a matter of just two or
three days. They are constantly worried
who is going to be the next fatality," said
Joseph Gbaka Sandounou, who manages
operations for aid agency Plan
International in Guekedou.
Samples taken from those who died in
Liberia had been sent to Conakry for
testing, according to the Geneva-based
WHO. Aljazeera
an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus
suspected to have killed at least 59
people in Guinea, with symptoms of the
disease reported in neighbouring Sierra
Leone and Liberia as well.
The spread of Ebola, one of the most
lethal infectious diseases known, has
spooked nations with weak health care
systems. In Guinea's southeast, home to
all the confirmed cases, residents are
avoiding large gatherings and prices in
some markets have spiked as transporters
avoid the area.
Health authorities in Liberia said they had
now recorded eight suspected cases of
Ebola, mainly in people who crossed the
border from Guinea.
Five of these had died but tests were still
being carried out to check if the cases
were indeed Ebola, the Reuters news
agency reported.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
said a total of 86 suspected cases,
including 59 deaths, had been reported in
southeastern Guinea near the border
with Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Laboratory tests have confirmed 13 cases
of Ebola in Guinea so far, the first
outbreak of the disease in West Africa.
"People are really frightened. They have
seen people die in a matter of just two or
three days. They are constantly worried
who is going to be the next fatality," said
Joseph Gbaka Sandounou, who manages
operations for aid agency Plan
International in Guekedou.
Samples taken from those who died in
Liberia had been sent to Conakry for
testing, according to the Geneva-based
WHO. Aljazeera
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