Stopping the spread of Ebola

Germany is sending infection control experts to Africa to help fight the Ebola epidemic, Health Minister Hermann Gröhe has announced.

"With help from German experts, medical staff at hospitals will receive training on how to deal with highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola," he told the German daily Rheinische Post.

The goal is "to recognize Ebola infections quickly, get patients the right treatment and make sure the virus is not further transmitted."

The program has been developed in conjunction with the Robert Koch Institute.

Beyond 'international public health emergency'

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday the death toll from the Ebola epidemic in West Africa had reached over 2,000.

While there is currently no vaccine, the WHO said it hoped one could be found by November. It has said $600 million would be needed to squelch the spread of the deadly virus.

The EU Commission on Friday announced it would give 140 million euros ($181 million) to support health services in the hardest hit Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned earlier of an imminent food crisis to the region, as endangered harvests have sent prices soaring.

On August 8, five months after the outbreak, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak an "international public health emergency." In some areas, a curfew has been implemented and a number of countries have imposed travel bans.

According to Reuters news agency, Sierra Leone has announced a four-day nation-wide lockdown to stop the spread of the disease. From September 18 to September 22, residents will not be allowed to leave their homes.

sb/av (dpa, Reuters, AP)