WHO says 5,160 people have died in eight countries, up from 4,960 on Friday, as outbreak appears to be spreading in Mali

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that 5,160 people had died of Ebola in eight countries out of 14,098 cases of infection.

The WHO has acknowledged that the number of deaths is probably far higher, given that the fatality rate in the current outbreak is known to be about 70%.

The toll has risen from 4,960 deaths and 13,268 cases on Friday.

The outbreak appeared to be spreading in Mali, with four Ebola cases – all fatal – confirmed or suspected in that country.

The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history continues to affect Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone the most.

The WHO said 2,836 deaths had been recorded in Liberia, out of a total of 6,822 cases. In Sierra Leone, 1,169 people had died from 5,368 cases. In Guinea, there were 1,142 deaths from 1,878 cases.

Nigeria had eight deaths and 20 cases, while Senegal had one case and no deaths. Both totals remained unchanged in the latest WHO figures and both countries have been declared Ebola free.

In Mali, the WHO reported three additional Ebola deaths, but said they were not linked to the only other case and death recorded in the country – that of a two-year-old girl from Guinea.

There has been one case of infection in Spain, where an infected nurse has recovered.

In the US, four Ebola cases have been recorded and one person – a Liberian – had died from the virus.

Ebola, one of the deadliest known viruses, is spread only through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms such as fever or vomiting.

People caring for the sick or handling the bodies of people infected with Ebola are particularly exposed. The WHO said 564 healthcare workers were known to have contracted the virus, and 320 of them had died.