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Ebola crisis: WHO focuses on preventing regional spread Ebola crisis: WHO focuses on preventing regional spread
(about 1 hour later)
The World Health Organization is to "ramp up" efforts to prevent Ebola spreading beyond the three countries most affected by the deadly virus.The World Health Organization is to "ramp up" efforts to prevent Ebola spreading beyond the three countries most affected by the deadly virus.
Fifteen African countries are being prioritised, top WHO official Isabelle Nuttall told a news conference in Geneva. Fifteen African countries are being prioritised, top WHO official Isabelle Nuttall told a Geneva news conference.
They will receive more help in areas including prevention and protection.They will receive more help in areas including prevention and protection.
The transmission of the Ebola virus remains intense in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, she said. US public health officials are being questioned at a congressional hearing on perceived failings in how the US has dealt with cases.
'Spike'
The transmission of the Ebola virus remains intense in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the WHO's Dr Nuttall said.
There was a "spike" in the Guinean capital, Conakry, said Dr Nuttall, and "intense transmission" in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.There was a "spike" in the Guinean capital, Conakry, said Dr Nuttall, and "intense transmission" in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
In the Liberian capital, Monrovia, she spoke of "significant underreporting" and problems with data-gathering making it hard to reach firm conclusions. But there was a drop in the number of cases in Lofa district.In the Liberian capital, Monrovia, she spoke of "significant underreporting" and problems with data-gathering making it hard to reach firm conclusions. But there was a drop in the number of cases in Lofa district.
Overall, cases were doubling every four weeks, said Dr Nuttall, the WHO's Director of Global Capacities Alerts and Response, and the death toll was expected to go above 4,500 this week.Overall, cases were doubling every four weeks, said Dr Nuttall, the WHO's Director of Global Capacities Alerts and Response, and the death toll was expected to go above 4,500 this week.
Countries in the region must be prepared, she said, listing Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Togo.Countries in the region must be prepared, she said, listing Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Togo.
She highlighted four nations directly bordering the worst affected area - Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal.She highlighted four nations directly bordering the worst affected area - Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal.
"We will ramp up our support to the countries. We will work with them on a plan. But a plan needs to be changed into action.""We will ramp up our support to the countries. We will work with them on a plan. But a plan needs to be changed into action."
Action will include:Action will include:
Earlier, the WHO said the introduction of Ebola in the US and elsewhere was a matter of concern, but a major outbreak was unlikely given the strength of health systems in the West.Earlier, the WHO said the introduction of Ebola in the US and elsewhere was a matter of concern, but a major outbreak was unlikely given the strength of health systems in the West.
In another development, the European Union is to examine whether exit screening at West African airports is effective.In another development, the European Union is to examine whether exit screening at West African airports is effective.
EU health ministers also agreed to try to co-ordinate measures taken at EU airports. Some countries, such as the UK, have introduced screening.EU health ministers also agreed to try to co-ordinate measures taken at EU airports. Some countries, such as the UK, have introduced screening.
Texas nurseTexas nurse
US President Barack Obama also said the risk of Americans getting the virus was "extremely low", although he ordered a "much more aggressive response". In the United States, questions are being asked about why two nurses who treated an Ebola patient from Africa have themselves become infected.
The US is investigating how a nurse infected when treating a victim in Texas was allowed to travel on a plane. Thomas Eric Duncan died at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital after arriving in the US from Liberia.
Officials are trying to trace the 132 people who flew with Amber Vinson. Nurses Nina Pham and Amber Vinson both contracted Ebola after treating him.
US federal health officials will appear before a congressional committee on Thursday to answer questions about their handling of the crisis. Both wore face shields, hazardous materials suits and protective footwear as they drew blood and dealt with Mr Duncan's body fluids and it remains unclear how they were infected, officials say.
Amber Vinson was allowed to take a commercial flight after treating him and officials are trying to the trace the 132 people who flew with her.
In testimony prepared for the congressional hearing, Daniel Varga, the chief clinical officer for the company that runs the hospital, apologises for mistakes made in treating Mr Duncan.
"We did not correctly diagnose his symptoms as those of Ebola. We are deeply sorry," he says.
"A lot is being said about what may or may not have occurred to cause Ms Pham to contract Ebola," he says.
"She is known as an extremely skilled nurse, and she was using full protective measures under the CDC protocols, so we don't yet know precisely how or when she was infected."
Opening the hearing, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Tim Murphy accused the Centers for Disease Control of "changing course" on measures that would have strengthened quarantining.
He also cast doubt on airport screening, saying those with a fever could avoid it.
But in his opening statement, Centers for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden said everything was being done to prevent transmission of Ebola.
"There are no shortcuts. Everyone has to do their part. We are there to support. We are there with world-class expertise to protect Americans."
New US Ebola control measuresNew US Ebola control measures
Could it spread around US?Could it spread around US?
Confusing death figuresConfusing death figures
Thomas Eric Duncan was the first person to be diagnosed in the US with Ebola after he flew in from Liberia. He was treated at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital but later died.
In testimony prepared for Thursday's congressional hearing, Daniel Varga, the chief clinical officer for Texas Health Resources, apologises for mistakes made in treating Mr Duncan.
"We did not correctly diagnose his symptoms as those of Ebola. We are deeply sorry," he says.
Amber Vinson is one of two nurses who contracted Ebola after treating Mr Duncan.
Both wore face shields, hazardous materials suits and protective footwear as they drew blood and dealt with Mr Duncan's body fluids and it remains unclear how they were infected.
US media reaction
Ms Vinson later contacted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to inform it she was travelling on a plane on Monday - Frontier Airlines Flight 1143 from Cleveland to Dallas-Fort Worth.
She reported a temperature of 37.5C (99.5F) and CDC director Thomas Frieden said she should not have travelled on a commercial flight.
However, another health official told the New York Times later that Ms Vinson was not prevented from flying because the temperature was mildly elevated and was in a category not covered by the CDC.
In other developments on Thursday:In other developments on Thursday:
How not to catch Ebola:How not to catch Ebola:
Ebola basics: What you need to knowEbola basics: What you need to know
How Ebola attacksHow Ebola attacks
Ebola: Mapping the outbreakEbola: Mapping the outbreak
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Have your sayHave your say
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.