Ebola Virus Alert; Spreads Across The West Coast

The Ebola Virus which was rumored to have infected a teenager in Nigeria last week has actually started gaining ground in neighboring countries as we speak. The Beat 99.9 newsletter reveals the extent of its reach and how fast it is getting into countries as death tolls increase

Mali is on alert over the deadly Ebola virus after three suspected cases were reported near the border with Guinea, where 86 people have died. There are tight controls on people entering the capital, Bamako, from the border area. Thermal-imaging cameras are screening passengers at the airport in case they have a fever.

The virus, which is spread by close contact and kills 25%- 90% of its victims, has already spread to Liberia. The tropical virus leads to haemorrhagic fever, causing muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.

Six people have died in Liberia, out of 12 suspected cases, according to the local health authorities. Sierra Leone has also reported suspected cases, while Senegal has closed its normally busy border with Guinea. Saudi Arabia suspended visas for Muslim pilgrims from Guinea and Liberia on Tuesday, in a sign of the growing unease about the outbreak