Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone appears to slow

The increase in new cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone seems to be slower, the World Health Organization says, as the country’s government restricts travel over the holidays.

As of Dec.  21, the death toll has risen to 7,588 out of 19,497 reported cases in the Ebola outbreak that began a year ago, the United Nations' public health agency said Wednesday.

"Reported case incidence is fluctuating in Guinea and declining in Liberia," WHO said.

"In Sierra Leone, there are signs that the increase in incidence has slowed, and that incidence may no longer be increasing. The country’s west is now experiencing the most intense transmission in the affected countries, and response efforts have been strengthened to curb the spread of disease in the area."

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Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have all improved their ability to isolate and treat Ebola patients but there are still shortfalls in some districts because of an uneven distribution of cases and beds, WHO said.

Sierra Leone’s capital of Freetown accounts for one-third of the country’s 315 new confirmed cases.

Last week, Sierra Leone’s government joined UN partners to step up efforts to limit spread of the disease in western parts of the country.

Travel is restricted between districts during the holidays. People may go to church services on Christmas Day but President Ernest Bai Koroma requested they return home immediately after.

Certain public gatherings banned

Public gatherings at restaurants, nightclubs and beaches are banned and markets have reduced their hours.

Guinea reported its highest weekly case incidence — 156 confirmed cases. The WHO said the number was largely because of a surge of cases in the southeastern district of Kissidougou.

"This emphasizes the need for continuing vigilance in case management, safe burial practices and social mobilization, to prevent outbreaks in areas previously experiencing little or no transmission."

In Liberia, incidence has been declining for a month but transmission remains intense. The country reported 21 cases in the week to Dec. 21. The district of Montserrado, which includes the capital Monrovia, continues to experience the highest activity in the country.

Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia says one if its staffers has become infected. It brings the number of UN members who've fallen sick with Ebola to four.

The global toll includes cases imported to Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Spain and the United States.