The fear of Ebola is slowing rice shipments from Asia to Africa with shipping crews either refusing to travel to affected regions or demanding higher freight charges, aggravating a food crisis in one of the most malnourished parts of the world.

The snags in shipments are compounding worries about food supplies as many African farmers have abandoned crop fields in wake of the disease that has quarantined thousands. Schools that offered meal programs have also shut down, worsening widespread food shortages and hunger.

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