Ebola outbreak ‘serious threat’ to Liberia’s national existence, says defence minister

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), death toll from the Ebola outbreak had rapidly increased to 2,296 out of 4,293 cases in five West African countries.

So far, more than 1,000 people have already died in Liberia, the worst-affected country due to the Ebola outbreak.

It is expected that, thousands of new cases of this deadly disease would be seen in Liberia over the next few weeks.

Samukai told the UN Security Council that the disease has weakened the country’s health system. He also noted that international response to the crisis was "less than robust".

"Liberia is facing a serious threat to its national existence. The deadly Ebola virus has caused a disruption of the normal functioning of our State," Samukai said.

"Liberia lacks the infrastructure, logistical capacity, professional expertise and financial resources to effectively address this disease."

According to WHO, measures to contain the disease outbreak in Liberia were not sufficient and the reasons remain unclear.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is likely to hold a meeting this month to review the international response to the Ebola crisis.

Of the five West African countries, Liberia has recorded 2,046 cases resulting in 1,224 deaths, Guinea has 862 cases and 555 deaths, Sierra Leone 1,361 cases and 509 deaths, Nigeria 21 cases and eight deaths, and Senegal has three cases including one confirmed and two suspected.

Image: Ebola virus virion. Photo: courtesy of CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith.