Liberia's president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in an attempt to stop the Ebola outbreak, which continues to spread across West Africa, local newspaper Front Page Africa reported on Thursday, according to dpa. "The death rate amongst citizens, especially amongst healthcare workers is very alarming," Johnson Sirleaf was quoted as saying. "The healthcare system is now under immense strain." The president instructed all non-essential government staff to stay at home for 30 days, ordered the closure of schools and markets as well as the fumigation of all public buildings. "Despite these, and continuing efforts, the threats continue to grow, ignorance, poverty as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices continue to exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in the counties," Johnson Sirleaf said. More than 500 confirmed or suspected Ebola cases have been reported in Liberia, with 282 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
