Sierra Leone’s top Ebola doctor dies from virus

A leading doctor who risked his own life to treat dozens of Ebola patients died Tuesday from the disease in Sierra Leone. Dr Sheik Humarr Khan, who was praised as a national hero, was confirmed dead by health ministry officials there. He had been hospitalised in quarantine and died less than a week after his diagnosis was announced. Health workers have been especially vulnerable to contracting Ebola, which is spread through bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat, blood and urine. Two American health workers are currently hospitalized with Ebola in neighbouring Liberia.

It is a big and irreparable loss to Sierra Leone as he was the only specialist the country had in viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Chief medical officer Brima Kargbo

ASKY, a major regional airline announced it was suspending flights to Monrovia and Freetown, Sierra Leone - cities hardest hit by an outbreak that has killed more than 670 people. The Ebola outbreak is the largest in history with deaths blamed on the disease not only in Sierra Leone and Liberia, but also Guinea and Nigeria. There is no vaccine for the disease and no specific treatment, and it has a fatality rate of at least 60 per cent.

One does not have a car, and they say sweat from one affected person affects the others. We have six to seven persons riding in the back of a taxi or bus.

Garmie Gayflor, hotel waitress in Liberia

Health ebola