Ebola Returns in Sierra Leone

Ebola Virus Disease has returned to Sierra Leone after four new cases were discovered in a village on its northern border. This is a further setback to efforts to end an 18-month epidemic, Reuters news agency reports, quoting a senior health official.

Pallo Conteh, head of Sierra Leone's National Ebola Response Centre, said the family of the woman who died of the virus had failed to notify authorities when she fell ill and instead cared for her themselves.

The new cases recorded since the start of the weekend in Sella Kaffta, a village in Kambia District, were all individuals who came into direct contact with a woman who died of the disease late last month. "I am expecting more cases," Mr Conteh said. "We are sure that the body was washed... so all those who took part in the washing of the corpse, all those who were helping her when she was having wet symptoms could all become infected."