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Crisis meeting as Ebola death toll rises in West Africa | Crisis meeting as Ebola death toll rises in West Africa |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting an emergency meeting in Ghana on Wednesday on the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa. | The World Health Organization (WHO) is hosting an emergency meeting in Ghana on Wednesday on the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa. |
Health officials from 11 countries are meeting in Accra to discuss how to put an end to the crisis. | Health officials from 11 countries are meeting in Accra to discuss how to put an end to the crisis. |
More than 400 people have died in what has now become the worst Ebola outbreak in history. | More than 400 people have died in what has now become the worst Ebola outbreak in history. |
Most of the deaths have been in Guinea but there are an increasing number of cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone. | Most of the deaths have been in Guinea but there are an increasing number of cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone. |
Health ministers from the three affected countries will join officials from neighbouring Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Senegal, as well as Uganda, DRC, Gambia and hosts Ghana. | Health ministers from the three affected countries will join officials from neighbouring Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Senegal, as well as Uganda, DRC, Gambia and hosts Ghana. |
Tulip Mazumdar, the BBC's global health correspondent, says all of these countries are considered at risk from Ebola, which is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet. | Tulip Mazumdar, the BBC's global health correspondent, says all of these countries are considered at risk from Ebola, which is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet. |
On Tuesday, the WHO said the death toll in West Africa had risen to 467, with 68 of the deaths recorded since 23 June. | On Tuesday, the WHO said the death toll in West Africa had risen to 467, with 68 of the deaths recorded since 23 June. |
The number of cases had risen from 635 on 23 June to 759, a 20% increase, the WHO added. | The number of cases had risen from 635 on 23 June to 759, a 20% increase, the WHO added. |
Experts on the ground say one of the key reasons for the continuing spread is the fear and denial around the illness. | Experts on the ground say one of the key reasons for the continuing spread is the fear and denial around the illness. |
Some communities are said to be hiding loved ones who get sick, instead of taking them to hospital, increasing the risk of the virus spreading. | Some communities are said to be hiding loved ones who get sick, instead of taking them to hospital, increasing the risk of the virus spreading. |
The WHO has already sent more than 150 experts into West Africa over the last few months to try and contain the outbreak. | The WHO has already sent more than 150 experts into West Africa over the last few months to try and contain the outbreak. |
But it says political commitment is needed from the region itself to ensure this virus is wiped out soon. | But it says political commitment is needed from the region itself to ensure this virus is wiped out soon. |
"Containment of this outbreak requires a strong response in the countries and especially along their shared border areas," it said in a statement. | "Containment of this outbreak requires a strong response in the countries and especially along their shared border areas," it said in a statement. |
Most of the deaths have been centred in the southern Guekedou region of Guinea, where the outbreak was first reported in February. | Most of the deaths have been centred in the southern Guekedou region of Guinea, where the outbreak was first reported in February. |
But health officials say the regions porous borders have allowed infected people to carry the disease into other countries. | But health officials say the regions porous borders have allowed infected people to carry the disease into other countries. |
Ebola virus disease (EVD) | Ebola virus disease (EVD) |
In pictures: Battling Ebola in West Africa | In pictures: Battling Ebola in West Africa |
Why Ebola is so dangerous | Why Ebola is so dangerous |
Are you in Ebola affected areas? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Ebola'. |