Panama bans travelers from Ebola-hit West Africa

PANAMA CITY (AFP) - Panama said Wednesday it is denying entry to anyone who has been in Ebola-stricken West African countries in the previous 21 days.

The health ministry said the restrictions on people arriving from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea were being put into effect immediately.

"This restriction will remain in the place until the nations cited are declared free of Ebola," it said in a statement.

The Dominican Republic said Tuesday it was banning travelers who have visited countries affected by endemic outbreaks of Ebola.

The Ebola virus has killed more than 4,500 people in west Africa since the beginning of the year. It has not spread to Latin America or the Caribbean so far, despite several false alarms.

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