This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27576831

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone confirms first deaths Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone confirms first deaths
(35 minutes later)
Four people, including a health worker, have died of Ebola in eastern Sierra Leone, the first confirmed cases in the country, the health ministry has said. Four people have died of Ebola in Sierra Leone, the first confirmed cases in the country following an outbreak in Guinea, the health ministry has said.
They died in Kailahun district, which borders Gueckedou in Guinea where the outbreak started in March and has killed more than 145 people. They died in the eastern Kailahun district, which borders southern Guinea where the outbreak started in March and has killed more than 145 people.
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world's deadliest viruses.There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world's deadliest viruses.
But people have a better chance of surviving if it is identified early and they get supportive medical care.But people have a better chance of surviving if it is identified early and they get supportive medical care.
Ebola can kill up to 90% of those infected and is passed on through contact with the fluids of infected people or animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.Ebola can kill up to 90% of those infected and is passed on through contact with the fluids of infected people or animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.
'Scared''Scared'
Dr Amara Jambai, the director of disease prevention and control at Sierra Leone's health ministry, said the deaths had occurred over the last three to four days. Dr Amara Jambai, the director of disease prevention and control at Sierra Leone's health ministry, said a health worker was among the four people who had died of Ebola.
He said people who developed a fever should immediately report a medical facility and an emergency medical team has been deployed to the remote area. The deaths had occurred over the last three to four days, he said.
People who developed a fever should immediately report a medical facility and an emergency medical team has been deployed to the remote area, Dr Jambai said.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Why Ebola is so dangerousWhy Ebola is so dangerous
The UN World Health Organization said it has been informed about the outbreak in Sierra Leone and would help deploy essential supplies. The UN World Health Organization said it has been informed about the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and would help deploy essential supplies.
It said it had received information from the field that there had been six deaths - one of which had been laboratory confirmed as Ebola.
Freetown-based journalist Alpha Kamara told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme that many people in Kailahun district were staying indoors for fear of catching the virus.Freetown-based journalist Alpha Kamara told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme that many people in Kailahun district were staying indoors for fear of catching the virus.
A local chief in the area told him that there had been 11 suspicious deaths between Thursday and Sunday.A local chief in the area told him that there had been 11 suspicious deaths between Thursday and Sunday.
In Guinea, there have been a total of 258 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola, including 174 deaths - 146 of which have been laboratory-confirmed positive.In Guinea, there have been a total of 258 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola, including 174 deaths - 146 of which have been laboratory-confirmed positive.
In Liberia there have been 12 suspected cases, with nine deaths.In Liberia there have been 12 suspected cases, with nine deaths.