Guinea declares 45-day health emergency

Guinea has declared a 45-day "health emergency" in 5 regions of the country.

Guinean President Alpha Conde stated that the quarantine would cut across thewest and south-west areas of the country, and would involve the quarantining of hospitals and clinics where new cases are detected, new rules on burials and possible lockdowns.

In a statement, the president declared "a reinforced health emergency for a period of 45 days in the prefectures of Forecariah, Coyah, Dubreka, Boffa and Kindia" saying the focus of the virus had shifted to the country's coastal areas.

He further said "wherever the need may be, throughout this period, measures of restriction and confinement will be taken."

Meanwhile on Friday, Sierra Leone began a 3-day nationwide lockdownsparked by fears the virus was making a comeback in some parts of the country. This led to Guinea deploying security forces to its south-west in response to reports Sierra Leoneans were crossing the border to flee the operation.

However, Sierra Leone government spokesman Theo Nicol said the 2 countries had agreed to police the border so people with Ebola symptoms did not cross.

The Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 and has since claimed over 10,000 lives in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Guinea.