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Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone lockdown declared 'success' Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone lockdown declared 'success'
(about 3 hours later)
A three-day curfew aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone has been declared a success by authorities.A three-day curfew aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone has been declared a success by authorities.
The wide-ranging curfew ended at midnight on Sunday (GMT) and will not be extended, authorities said.The wide-ranging curfew ended at midnight on Sunday (GMT) and will not be extended, authorities said.
Sierra Leone has been one of the countries worst affected by the outbreak, with more than 550 of the almost 2,800 deaths so far recorded. Sierra Leone is one of the countries worst affected by the outbreak, with nearly 600 of the almost 2,800 total deaths recorded so far.
Some health groups have criticised the lockdown, saying it would destroy trust between patients and doctors.Some health groups have criticised the lockdown, saying it would destroy trust between patients and doctors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the situations in Senegal and Nigeria have been "pretty much contained", reports the Reuters news agency.The World Health Organization (WHO) says the situations in Senegal and Nigeria have been "pretty much contained", reports the Reuters news agency.
Nearly all of the deaths in the world's worst Ebola outbreak have been recorded in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.Nearly all of the deaths in the world's worst Ebola outbreak have been recorded in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
There should be "no general ban on international travel or trade", WHO said, although "quarantines may be necessary in areas of intense and widespread transmission" of the disease.
According to the UN agency, the number of overall deaths from Ebola had risen to nearly 2,793 and the disease remains "a public health emergency of international concern".
The deadly virus is transmitted through sweat, blood and saliva, and there is no proven cure.The deadly virus is transmitted through sweat, blood and saliva, and there is no proven cure.
In other developments:In other developments:
The head of Sierra Leone's Emergency Operations Centre Stephen Gaojia told the BBC that the lockdown exercise was largely successful, and that the compliance and receptiveness of Sierra Leoneans was "overwhelming". In Sierra Leone, head of the Emergency Operations Centre Stephen Gaojia told the BBC that the lockdown was largely successful, and the compliance and receptiveness of Sierra Leoneans was "overwhelming".
He said 130 new cases had been confirmed, while results were still outstanding on 39 suspected cases. He said 130 new cases had been confirmed, which would have helped spread the virus if they had remained undetected. Results were still outstanding on 39 suspected cases.
Health officials say that had these cases not been discovered, they would have helped spread the virus. However, health officials also admitted the exercise has exposed the country's inadequate response capability, the BBC's Umaru Fofana in the capital Freetown reported.
In the capital Freetown, residents emerged from their houses to celebrate in the streets just before the official end of the lockdown. Ambulances are in short supply, as are the isolation wards to look after patients, with almost all Ebola treatment centres confined to the east of the country, he says.
There are also too few teams available to bury the dead, partly because of the social stigma attached to the role.
Dozens buriedDozens buried
The curfew in Sierra Leone came into force on Friday morning, with most of the country's six million inhabitants confined to their homes.The curfew in Sierra Leone came into force on Friday morning, with most of the country's six million inhabitants confined to their homes.
Around 30,000 medical volunteers travelled to affected neighbourhoods to find patients and distribute soap.Around 30,000 medical volunteers travelled to affected neighbourhoods to find patients and distribute soap.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Sarian Kamara said between 60 and 70 Ebola victims had been buried in the past two days.Earlier, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Sarian Kamara said between 60 and 70 Ebola victims had been buried in the past two days.
Bodies of Ebola victims are highly contagious and their swift burial is considered key to containing the disease.Bodies of Ebola victims are highly contagious and their swift burial is considered key to containing the disease.
The three-day curfew is the most aggressive measure taken against the virus yet by a West African country.The three-day curfew is the most aggressive measure taken against the virus yet by a West African country.
Liberia on Sunday said it would increase from 250 to 1,000 its beds for Ebola patients in the capital Monrovia.Liberia on Sunday said it would increase from 250 to 1,000 its beds for Ebola patients in the capital Monrovia.
Information Minister Lewis Brown told AFP news agency that patients were currently being rejected due to lack of space.Information Minister Lewis Brown told AFP news agency that patients were currently being rejected due to lack of space.
"So the government is trying its best to finish the 1,000 beds so we can accommodate all the patients," he added."So the government is trying its best to finish the 1,000 beds so we can accommodate all the patients," he added.
It follows a warning from the WHO about a huge expected spike in infections in Liberia, which has accounted for more than half the deaths so far.It follows a warning from the WHO about a huge expected spike in infections in Liberia, which has accounted for more than half the deaths so far.
School closure plea School strike delayed
In Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, the National Union of Teachers said that schools without adequate safety measures to prevent the spread of Ebola should remain closed despite the start of the new term. In Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, teachers' union spokesman Emmanuel Hwande Ora told the BBC that the threat of a strike has been suspended.
President Goodluck Jonathan dismissed the call for a postponement. However, the union says it will put more pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan's government to introduce more safety controls in schools to prevent the spread of Ebola.
Eight people have died in Nigeria out of 20 who have contracted the disease, but no new cases have been discovered for 10 days.Eight people have died in Nigeria out of 20 who have contracted the disease, but no new cases have been discovered for 10 days.
Schools in Lagos and Rivers states, which have seen all of the Nigerian cases so far will not reopen, while Kano state has postponed resumption until they receive Ebola prevention equipment.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Do you live in Sierra Leone and think the Ebola curfew was successful? Have you or your family been affected by the virus? Send us your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you live in Sierra Leone and think the Ebola curfew was successful? Have you or your family been affected by the virus? Send us your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk