GENEVA – The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday said the toll in the Ebola epidemic has risen to 5,420 deaths out of 15,145 cases in eight countries, with transmission of the virus still intense in Sierra Leone.
WHO said in its latest update that the figures, represents a jump of 243 deaths and 732 cases, and cases continue to be under-reported.
It said that Sierra Leone, a former British colony, confirmed 533 new cases in the week to Nov. 16.
“Much of this was driven by intense transmission in the country’s west and north,’’ WHO said.
Swiss health authorities said that a Cuban doctor infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone would be flown to Switzerland in the next 48 hours for hospitalisation in Geneva.
“He is the first Cuban known to have contracted the disease.
“The outbreaks in Guinea and Liberia currently appear to be driven by intense transmission in several key districts,’’ WHO said, citing N’Zerekore in Guinea and Montserrado in Liberia, which includes Monrovia.
WHO said that authorities in Mali have now reported 6 cases of Ebola including five deaths.
The remaining cases have been in Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and the U.S.
Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf said on Wednesday that her government has the upper hand in the fight against Ebola, but warned against complacency or any reduction in international support. (Reuters/NAN)
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