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Liberian president warns of ebola epidemic

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expressed serious concern about a resurgence of the Ebola virus in the country Tuesday.

She lamented the deaths caused by the disease in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone that still poses a threat to all including health workers. The Ministry of Health said there were 90 confirmed cases of Ebola, 49 of them fatal, through June 29.

The president called on all citizens to regard the epidemic as a national public health emergency. "I want to inform all Liberians in this public manner that the disease is real and is in our country killing people," she said. "As I speak, the disease is taking the lives of our citizens in Lofa, Montserrado, and now Margibi County," she added.

The president also warned against concealing information about suspected Ebola patients in homes. "We will continue to do more. I call on you my fellow citizens to protect yourself, protect your family, and protect your community from this deadly Ebola virus, by taking all necessary precautions."

"As the number of cases and deaths of Ebola virus disease continues to rise in our sub region, we are all gravely concerned by the rate at which this cross-border transmission is taking place."

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