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Ebola crisis: WHO to announce $100m emergency response Ebola crisis: WHO to announce $100m emergency response
(35 minutes later)
The head of the World Health Organization and leaders of West African nations affected by the Ebola outbreak are to announce a joint $100m (£59m; 75m euro) response plan.The head of the World Health Organization and leaders of West African nations affected by the Ebola outbreak are to announce a joint $100m (£59m; 75m euro) response plan.
They will meet in Guinea on Friday to launch the initiative aimed at tackling a virus which has claimed 729 lives.They will meet in Guinea on Friday to launch the initiative aimed at tackling a virus which has claimed 729 lives.
Sierra Leone's president has declared a public health emergency over the outbreak after 233 people died there.Sierra Leone's president has declared a public health emergency over the outbreak after 233 people died there.
Ebola spreads through human contact with a sufferer's bodily fluids.Ebola spreads through human contact with a sufferer's bodily fluids.
Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas like eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure.Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas like eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected, with patients having a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected, with patients having a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.
'A new level''A new level'
WHO Director General Margaret Chan will meet West African presidents in the Guinean capital Conakry.WHO Director General Margaret Chan will meet West African presidents in the Guinean capital Conakry.
"The scale of the Ebola outbreak, and the persistent threat it poses, requires WHO and Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to take the response to a new level, and this will require increased resources, in-country medical expertise, regional preparedness and coordination," she said in a statement released on the WHO website on Thursday."The scale of the Ebola outbreak, and the persistent threat it poses, requires WHO and Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to take the response to a new level, and this will require increased resources, in-country medical expertise, regional preparedness and coordination," she said in a statement released on the WHO website on Thursday.
"The countries have identified what they need, and WHO is reaching out to the international community to drive the response plan forward.""The countries have identified what they need, and WHO is reaching out to the international community to drive the response plan forward."
Key elements of the WHO's new plan are:Key elements of the WHO's new plan are:
The WHO says that the scale of the ongoing outbreak is "unprecedented", with about 1,323 confirmed and suspected cases reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since March 2014.The WHO says that the scale of the ongoing outbreak is "unprecedented", with about 1,323 confirmed and suspected cases reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since March 2014.
It says that improving prevention, detecting and reporting suspected cases, referring people infected with the disease for medical care, as well as psychosocial support, are of paramount importance in battling the illness.It says that improving prevention, detecting and reporting suspected cases, referring people infected with the disease for medical care, as well as psychosocial support, are of paramount importance in battling the illness.
The WHO is also deploying two survivors of the outbreak in Guinea as informal Ebola ambassadors, working with community groups to show that the disease can be prevented if people take recommended precautions.The WHO is also deploying two survivors of the outbreak in Guinea as informal Ebola ambassadors, working with community groups to show that the disease can be prevented if people take recommended precautions.
Ebola since 1976Ebola since 1976
In a separate development, US health authorities on Thursday warned against the dangers of travelling to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as they strive to tackle the Ebola outbreak.In a separate development, US health authorities on Thursday warned against the dangers of travelling to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as they strive to tackle the Ebola outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "recommends against non-essential travel [to these countries]," Director Tom Frieden said.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "recommends against non-essential travel [to these countries]," Director Tom Frieden said.
An American doctor with Ebola in Liberia has taken a "slight turn for the worse", the Samaritan's Purse aid agency said on Thursday.
Kent Brantly and another American worker, Nancy Writebol, "are in stable but grave condition", it said in a statement.
In London, the ActionAid charity said that the battle against Ebola was being hampered because of the spiralling price of hand sanitisers.In London, the ActionAid charity said that the battle against Ebola was being hampered because of the spiralling price of hand sanitisers.
A spokesman said that the cost of some hygiene products had gone up sevenfold, making them too expensive for many people in the region.A spokesman said that the cost of some hygiene products had gone up sevenfold, making them too expensive for many people in the region.
Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma announced earlier that the epicentres of the outbreak in the east would be quarantined and he asked the security forces to enforce the measures.Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma announced earlier that the epicentres of the outbreak in the east would be quarantined and he asked the security forces to enforce the measures.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Are you in West Africa? Do you have family or friends there who are affected by the outbreak? You can send your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ebola Outbreak'.Are you in West Africa? Do you have family or friends there who are affected by the outbreak? You can send your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ebola Outbreak'.