Liberian President Apologises For Ebola Outbreak Written By Mara - TopicsExpress

Liberian President Apologises For Ebola Outbreak Written By Mara Ispas | SA Breaking News Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Saturday apologised for not doing enough to curb the spread of the deadly Ebola fever virus that has plagued West Africa since the outbreak began in February. “If we haven’t done enough so far, I come here to apologise to you for that,” said Sirleaf at a press conference. She pledged about $18 million (about R193 million) to go towards insurance and death benefits, to buy more ambulances and to increase the number of treatment centres in the country. The outbreak is the worst to hit West Africa in history, with the World Health Organisation on Friday declaring the epidemic as an international health emergency that will likely continue to spread for months to come. The WHO on Wednesday announced nearly 1 000 people had been killed after contracting Ebola since the outbreak began.. The latest statistics show 45 patients died between 2 and 4 August, with 108 new cases of the haemorrhagic fever being confirmed in that same period. On Thursday Liberia and Sierra Leone established blockades to curb the movement of people in an attempt to protect itself against the spread of the deadly haemorrhagic fever. Liberian soldiers formed a blockade preventing people from the country’s western regions from entering the capital, Monrovia. This after its president declared a state of emergency in the area on Wednesday. In Sierra Leone security forces are enforcing a blockade of eastern areas affected by one of the world’s deadliest outbreaks. Guinea meanwhile, has denied closing its borders with neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone despite four government ministers announcing the measure on Saturday. Officials speaking at a press conference said the decision was taken to prevent infected people crossing into Guinea. But state television later said borders remained open, and health measures had been taken at the posts instead. Source: https://za.news.yahoo/liberian-president-apologises-ebola-outbreak-100905838.html?soc_src=mediacontentsharebuttons