Your trusted source

Sierra Leone says its death toll from the contagious Ebola virus has doubled in one week, with hopes of containing the outbreak fading, the BBC reported.

Health ministry officials said at least 12 people had been killed by the deadly virus, up from six last week.

They say the confirmed deaths were in the east, near the border with Guinea - the epicentre of the outbreak that has killed more than 200 people this year.

There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world's deadliest viruses.

The impoverished west African nation confirmed its first deaths from Ebola two weeks ago.

Dr Amara Jambai, the director of disease prevention and control at Sierra Leone's health ministry, announced on Monday that the deaths in the east were mainly in the Kailahun district.

There are now 42 confirmed cases from 113 people tested, with new cases recorded in the northern district of Kambia, she added.

She said that the disease was spreading as local authorities were struggling to control the movement of people, according to Reuters news agency.

Guinea has been worst-affected, with some 328 cases - 193 of which have been confirmed by laboratory tests - and 208 deaths.