Mali has reported three suspected cases of the deadly Ebola virus. The death toll in Liberia and Guinea has risen to 84, which has created a fear of a potential epidemic that may continue to claim lives.
The three suspected cases have been moved to the edge of the city and quarantined. Their test results have been sent to the United States for testing with results expected in several days.
Protective measures have been put in place where entrance into the capital Bamako is greatly restricted and airports are using thermal-imaging cameras to detect fevers. The Mali government has advised nationals to only travel to affected areas if necessary.
An Air France flight from Guinea that landed in Paris was quarantined for two hours on Friday morning after a passenger was suspected of being infected.
“The tests turned out negative,” an Air France spokesman said.
Other West African countries are on high alert as Senegal has closed its border with Guinea and Sierra Leone has also reported suspected cases. Samples have been sent to the US for testing and the results are expected in a few days.
There is no cure or vaccine for the disease. The Ebola virus causes severe diarrhea, fever, internal and external bleeding and organ failure.
