Ebola epidemic far from over, but tide is turning - Ban


The Ebola epidemic in the most affected West African countries is "far from over" but the tide is turning, the UN Secretary-General said on Saturday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that the number of new Ebola cases recorded in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone fell below 100 for the first time in seven months.

Speaking to African leaders gathered in Addis Ababa for the annual African Union Summit, Ban Ki-moon said he was proud of the work they did together.

The African Union has been on the frontlines of the fight against the Ebola epidemic, the UN Chief said.

Member States have been contributing resources, expertise and supplies, as well as deploying hundreds of health workers in the West African region.

Mr Ban called the mobilization "inspiring" and stressed that the national, regional and international collaboration was paying off.
He urged African leaders to continue to demonstrate the same solidarity until Ebola is gone from every country.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General seized the opportunity to condemn terrorist attacks that took place in the northern part of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula earlier this week.


SOURCE: Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.