Global Ebola death toll passes 1,000: WHO

Nigerian custom officers wearing face masks and gloves screen passengers arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja August 11, 2014.-- PHOTO: REUTERS
Nigerian custom officers wearing face masks and gloves screen passengers arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja August 11, 2014.-- PHOTO: REUTERS

GENEVA/DAKAR (AFP, REUTERS) - The Ebola virus has killed 1,013 people and infected another 1,848, latest World Health Organisation data showed.

The fatalities include 52 deaths recorded between August 7-9 in the three West African countries at the centre of the epidemic - Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone - according to the data released late on Monday.

During the period, Guinea reported six additional deaths and 11 new infections, Liberia had 29 more deaths and 45 cases while Sierra Leone saw 17 new fatalities and 13 cases.

Separately, Liberia said on Tuesday it will receive enough of an experimental Ebola drug to treat just two infected Liberian doctors, Information Minister Lewis Brown said, after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its export.

Mr Brown said Liberia's Health Ministry had contacted the US manufacturer of ZMapp, Mapp Biopharmaceutical, and asked the FDA to quickly approve its export.

The doctors had consented in writing to the treatment, the minister said.

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