The WHO is sending medical experts to Mali to help the West Africa country prevent the spread of Ebola after its first confirmed case.
A 2-year old girl was diagnosed with the disease yesterday having been brought into the country from neighbouring Guinea. The girl whose father died of Ebola was taken to the hospital in Kayes after it was noticed she was exhibiting Ebola like symptoms. A test later confirmed she has Ebola. The girl and other members of her family who have might have been exposed to the virus are all in the hospital.
This confirmed case in Mali makes it the sixth West African country to be affected by the virus which has killed more than 4,800 people and affected more than 10,000.
Speaking at a WHO emergency committee meeting, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, the WHO Assistant Director General said the organization's plan is to break the chain of transmission by relying on isolation. He said there should be an improvement and less infection by December.
WHO announced earlier this month that vaccine trials are expected to begin in West Africa in January. The initial vaccine tests are being given to volunteers in countries such as Mali, the United States and Britain.
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