The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it will send more than 11,000 Ebola vaccinations to the African country Guinea to combat the recent epidemic of the deadly virus.

WHO regional director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said that 11,000 vaccines are being prepared in Geneva and are expected to be delivered to Guinea at the weekend. An additional 8,600 doses will be sent from the United States so that a vaccination campaign could be started as early as possible.

Guinea declared Ebola epidemic on Sunday, less than a month after health officials detected suspicious cases with patients showing symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding.

The patient had participated in the burial of a nurse who had died late last month. it is a tradition that participants in the funerals wash and touch the body of the deceased that can cause the spread of Ebola. The virus usually infects humans from animals, such as bats, and then spreads between humans via direct contact with bodily fluids.

As of Thursday, there were three confirmed Ebola cases in Guinea, including one death, according to WHO.

West Africa had experienced the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history from 2014 to 2016 that killed more than 11,300 people, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, health workers in neighbouring Liberia are testing a woman who entered the country from Guinea and was showing signs of Ebola. She is currently in isolation, awaiting the test results.

Sierra Leone has also been on the watch after a man showed signs of Ebola. Tests have since shown he was negative for Ebola, according to Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

The United Nations had earlier announced $15 million help to Guinea and Congo from its emergency fund to combat the new Ebola outbreaks.

Congo had announced on February 7 four cases of Ebola in the eastern part of the country, the first outbreak since 2020.

More than 8,000 vaccine doses are available in Congo and inoculation campaign began on Monday for people at high risk, according to WHO.

The story was filed by the News Desk. The Desk can be reached at info@thecorrespondent.com.pk.

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