Ebola death toll nears 4,000 as global effort steps up

The World Health Organisation said the recorded number of deaths from Ebola has almost reached 4,000 worldwide, but warned the real number could be more than this as overwhelmed hospital staff were experiencing “profound” problems recording data.

Britain is to send more than 750 personnel to Sierra Leone next week to aid the fight against Ebola.

The UK will also provide an aviation support ship and three Merlin helicopters as part of increased efforts to help contain the virus.

A nurse in Australia, just back from working in Sierra Leone, is being tested for the deadly virus in Carins Hospital. A criminal probe has been launched in Spain to establish how a Spanish nurse contracted the disease