Sierra Leone said on Friday it was banning any public Christmas celebrations as the spiralling caseload of Ebola infections continues to spread alarm.
Soldiers are to be deployed throughout the festive period to force people venturing onto the streets back indoors, the government's Ebola response unit said.
Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.
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Palo Conteh, head of the department, told reporters in the capital Freetown there would be "no Christmas and New Year celebrations this year".
"We will ensure that everybody remains at home to reflect on Ebola," he said.
"Military personnel will be on the streets at Christmas and the New Year to stop any street celebrations."
![Clinical Trial of NewLink and Merck’s Ebola Vaccine Put on Hold]( "Clinical Trial of NewLink and Merck’s Ebola Vaccine Put on Hold")
Scientists have halted the Swiss clinical trials of Ebola vaccine from NewLink and Merck, where some volunteers reported joint pains.
While Islam is the dominant religion, more than a quarter of the population is Christian and public gatherings and entertainment are common during the festive period.
Conteh did not give the exact dates of the crackdown or specify any exceptions. In past local and nationwide anti-Ebola curfews, people have been allowed out to worship and for "essential business".
Under current emergency regulations, bars and nightspots have been shut down and public gatherings are outlawed but there is no general ban on wandering outdoors or working.
Sierra Leone, which has overtaken Liberia to report the most cases of the killer virus, has recorded 1,319 new infections in the last three weeks.
Source: AFP
"Military personnel will be on the streets at Christmas and the New Year to stop any street celebrations."
Clinical Trial of NewLink and Merck’s Ebola Vaccine Put on Hold
Scientists have halted the Swiss clinical trials of Ebola vaccine from NewLink and Merck, where some volunteers reported joint pains.
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While Islam is the dominant religion, more than a quarter of the population is Christian and public gatherings and entertainment are common during the festive period.
Conteh did not give the exact dates of the crackdown or specify any exceptions. In past local and nationwide anti-Ebola curfews, people have been allowed out to worship and for "essential business".
Under current emergency regulations, bars and nightspots have been shut down and public gatherings are outlawed but there is no general ban on wandering outdoors or working.
Sierra Leone, which has overtaken Liberia to report the most cases of the killer virus, has recorded 1,319 new infections in the last three weeks.
Source: AFP
Rebuilding Ebola-Hit Health Systems is a Long, Costly Battle
The Ebola outbreak in west Africa has exposed weaknesses of the healthcare systems of the countries and will require millions of dollars to rectify if they are to withstand future shocks.
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