The chief medical officer of Liberia, Nathaniel Barti, has confirmed the outbreak of an unidentified disease in the north-east of the country, which has killed dozens of people.

The disease is said to have symptoms similar to dysentry.

A team of experts from neighbouring Ivory Coast has been sent to the area to investigate the disease, which has infected large numbers of farmers.

Health officials are waiting for the results of specimens to try and establish the cause of the disease.