Ebola outbreak 'could top 20,000'

Published on Aug. 28, 2014

An outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa could amount to 20,000 cases, the World Health organisation says (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention/PA) 

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa could eventually exceed 20,000 cases - more than six times the current level, the World Health Organisation says.

A new study by the UN health agency also assumes that in many hard-hit areas the actual number of cases may be two to four times higher than is currently reported.

The agency has published new figures saying that 1,552 people have now died from the Ebola virus from 3,069 cases reported so far.

At least 40% of the cases have been in the last three weeks, the WHO said, adding that "the outbreak continues to accelerate".

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