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Ivory Coast blocks refugees amid Ebola fears | Ivory Coast blocks refugees amid Ebola fears |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ivory Coast has blocked 400 refugees who fled to Liberia from returning home because of fears they could spread the Ebola virus, a UN official has said. | Ivory Coast has blocked 400 refugees who fled to Liberia from returning home because of fears they could spread the Ebola virus, a UN official has said. |
The decision violated domestic and international law, the official added. | The decision violated domestic and international law, the official added. |
Ivory Coast said it could not allow the refugees in because of the Ebola "pandemic" in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. | Ivory Coast said it could not allow the refugees in because of the Ebola "pandemic" in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. |
The virus has now killed 603 people in the three states, with 68 deaths reported in the last week, WHO said. | The virus has now killed 603 people in the three states, with 68 deaths reported in the last week, WHO said. |
This is the worst outbreak the world has ever seen. | This is the worst outbreak the world has ever seen. |
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola, which spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids. | |
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 |
It kills up to 90% of those infected but if patients receive early treatment, they have a better chance of survival. | It kills up to 90% of those infected but if patients receive early treatment, they have a better chance of survival. |
The latest outbreak was first reported in Guinea in February, before spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone. | The latest outbreak was first reported in Guinea in February, before spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone. |
'Greatest pandemic' | 'Greatest pandemic' |
UN refugee agency official Mohamed Toure said Ivory Coast had acted "unacceptably" by turning away a convoy of refugees at the border with Liberia. | UN refugee agency official Mohamed Toure said Ivory Coast had acted "unacceptably" by turning away a convoy of refugees at the border with Liberia. |
The agency had offered to carry out medical screening of the refugees, but Ivorian officials still refused, he said. | The agency had offered to carry out medical screening of the refugees, but Ivorian officials still refused, he said. |
The group had fled to Liberia during the 2010-2011 conflict that hit Ivory Coast after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in elections. | The group had fled to Liberia during the 2010-2011 conflict that hit Ivory Coast after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in elections. |
Ivorian government spokesman Bruno Kone defended the decision to block the refugees from entering. | Ivorian government spokesman Bruno Kone defended the decision to block the refugees from entering. |
"Everyone needs to show some understanding," he is quoted by AFP news agency as saying. | "Everyone needs to show some understanding," he is quoted by AFP news agency as saying. |
"We face the greatest pandemic our region has seen for a long time. We cannot be lax in this area," he said. | "We face the greatest pandemic our region has seen for a long time. We cannot be lax in this area," he said. |
The World Health Organization (WHO) said 85 new cases had been recorded in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 8 July and 12 July. | The World Health Organization (WHO) said 85 new cases had been recorded in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 8 July and 12 July. |
Sierra Leone recorded the highest number of deaths - 52. Liberia reported 13 deaths and Guinea three, WHO said. | Sierra Leone recorded the highest number of deaths - 52. Liberia reported 13 deaths and Guinea three, WHO said. |
The figures include confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola, it added. | The figures include confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola, it added. |
WHO spokesman Dan Epstein said it would probably take several months to "get a grip" on the epidemic. | WHO spokesman Dan Epstein said it would probably take several months to "get a grip" on the epidemic. |
"People are isolated, they're afraid, they're scared," he said. | "People are isolated, they're afraid, they're scared," he said. |
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