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Ebola cases top 2,000

August 19, 2014

The number of people infected with Ebola is showing no signs of slowing, according to the World Health Organization. The deadly virus has spread across Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria over the past six months.

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Ebola Ausbruch Monrovia 17.08.2014
Image: Reuters

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest figures on the Ebola epidemic in West Africa on Tuesday, warning that the need for humanitarian assistance remained key to combating the virus.

According to the report, there have been 2,240 suspected or confirmed cases, including 1,229 deaths.

The international organization has increased its efforts to provide aid to the affected sub-Saharan countries.

"Food has been delivered to hospitalized patients and people under quarantine who are not able to leave their homes to purchase food. Providing regular food supplies is a potent means of limiting unnecessary movement," it said in a statement.

The international health emergency has increased fears across Europe and Africa of incoming travelers carrying a strain of the virus, prompting some nations to implement travel bans.

Authorities in the Liberian capital of Monrovia have warned local residents of a higher risk to exposure. Over the weekend, 17 infected patients fled a local clinic after it was raided by armed gunmen who claimed Ebola was a Western hoax, according to eyewitnesses. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

kms/mg (Reuters, dpa)