Ebola death toll rises

The World Health Organisation says the outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease in the border regions of Gabon and the Republic of Congo has now killed 22 people.

A WHO spokesman , Gregory Hartl, said 18 of the cases were in Gabon and 12 in neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville.

Nearly 200 who have been in contact with the victims are being monitored.

Twenty people were removed from the danger list this week after passing through the three-week incubation period with no symptoms of the disease. The Ebola virus kills its sufferers swiftly through severe internal bleeding, vomiting and diarrohea.

There is no known cure.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service