Number of Ebola cases in West Africa rises to 2,240: UN

A boy stands near posters displaying a government message against Ebola at Duwala market in Monrovia, Aug 17, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS - The number of Ebola cases in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, has reached 2,240 and a total of 1,229 deaths were also registered, UN spokesman Steaphane Dujarric told reporters Tuesday, quoting information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

"WHO is working with the World Food Programme (WFP) to ensure that people in the quarantine zone receive regular food aid and other non-medical supplies," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. "Food has been delivered to hospitalized patients and people under quarantine who are not able to leave their homes to purchase food."

"Governments have set up quarantine zones in areas of high transmission including severely-affected cities such as Gueckedou in Guinea, Kenema and Kailahun in Sierra Leone and Foya in Liberia, " he said.

On Aug 14-16, a total of 113 new cases of Ebola virus disease as well as 84 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, WHO said.

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease began in Guinea in December 2013, leading to an epidemic in West Africa after it spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.