West African nations have imposed travel restrictions in a last-ditch attempt to stop the worst outbreak of Ebola, a disease with a mortality rate of up to 90 per cent that has killed nearly 700 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Liberia yesterday said it had closed all but its major border crossings and ordered quarantines of the villages affected by the outbreak. Nigeria put its airports and seaports on “red alert” after a Liberian man died shortly after arriving at Lagos airport last week showing signs of the disease.
The restrictions come after medical charities warned the outbreak was “out of control” and could spread further, and urged governments in the region to do more. Economists warned the disease could reduce economic activity in the region and endanger food security as farmers flee affected areas. Foreign companies operating in the three countries affected have imposed travel curbs on their workers and evacuated some employees.