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Ebola crisis: Senegal defends Guinea border closure | Ebola crisis: Senegal defends Guinea border closure |
(35 minutes later) | |
Senegal has defended the closure of its border with Guinea because of the Ebola outbreak, despite warnings that such measures are counterproductive. | Senegal has defended the closure of its border with Guinea because of the Ebola outbreak, despite warnings that such measures are counterproductive. |
The World Health Organization (WHO) says travel bans do not work, especially if they stop doctors going to help tackle the crisis. | The World Health Organization (WHO) says travel bans do not work, especially if they stop doctors going to help tackle the crisis. |
Senegal's Health Minister Dr Eva Marie Colle Seck told the BBC the WHO was "learning, like everybody [else]". | Senegal's Health Minister Dr Eva Marie Colle Seck told the BBC the WHO was "learning, like everybody [else]". |
In Liberia, a boy of 16 shot while protesting about a quarantine has died. | In Liberia, a boy of 16 shot while protesting about a quarantine has died. |
Shakie Kamara was one of three people seriously injured on Wednesday after security forces fired at protesters, angry after blockades were erected around the West Point slum. | Shakie Kamara was one of three people seriously injured on Wednesday after security forces fired at protesters, angry after blockades were erected around the West Point slum. |
The current outbreak of Ebola is the most deadly ever, killing at least 1,350 people so far. | The current outbreak of Ebola is the most deadly ever, killing at least 1,350 people so far. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
WHO says Ebola outbreak underestimated because: | WHO says Ebola outbreak underestimated because: |
Read more from the WHO | Read more from the WHO |
Senegal also banned flights and ships from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - the three worst-hit countries - however, Dr Seck said humanitarian flights would not be affected. | |
Senegal's capital, Dakar, is a regional hub for West Africa and many doctors and medical supplies arriving from Europe or the US would pass through there before going to the affected countries. | |
Dr Seck told the BBC that the countries surrounding those affected were a "sentinel for the world" and had a duty to stop the virus spreading further. | Dr Seck told the BBC that the countries surrounding those affected were a "sentinel for the world" and had a duty to stop the virus spreading further. |
But WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told the BBC's Newsday programme that the borders in the region were porous, so any ban would be "impossible to enforce". | But WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told the BBC's Newsday programme that the borders in the region were porous, so any ban would be "impossible to enforce". |
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) | Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) |
Mr Hartl said what was needed was more doctors and officials to help trace those infected with Ebola, and more mobile laboratories. | Mr Hartl said what was needed was more doctors and officials to help trace those infected with Ebola, and more mobile laboratories. |
On Thursday, a Russian transport plane carrying a mobile lab and team of specialist medics such as virologists and epidemiologists flew to Guinea's capital Conakry. The lab can test more than 100 samples daily. | On Thursday, a Russian transport plane carrying a mobile lab and team of specialist medics such as virologists and epidemiologists flew to Guinea's capital Conakry. The lab can test more than 100 samples daily. |
Senegal first closed its border with Guinea in March when the outbreak started. | Senegal first closed its border with Guinea in March when the outbreak started. |
It was reopened in May after the situation in Guinea seemed to have stabilised but there has been a recent increase in the number of cases in the country. | It was reopened in May after the situation in Guinea seemed to have stabilised but there has been a recent increase in the number of cases in the country. |
Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and South Africa have also imposed travel bans. | Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and South Africa have also imposed travel bans. |
Ebola has no known cure but some affected people have recovered after being given an experimental drug, ZMapp, however, supplies are now exhausted. | Ebola has no known cure but some affected people have recovered after being given an experimental drug, ZMapp, however, supplies are now exhausted. |
On Thursday, two US doctors were discharged from hospital after being given the drug, while three Liberian medics are also recovering well. | On Thursday, two US doctors were discharged from hospital after being given the drug, while three Liberian medics are also recovering well. |