As of 4 August 2014, there have been 1,711 cases (1,070 confirmed, 436 probable, 205 suspect) of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 932 deaths. Between 5 and 6 August 2014, a total of 68 new cases of EVD (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 29 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
On 6 August, a Saudi man suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus passed away at 8.45am at a specialised hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The patient had been admitted to the intensive care unit late on 4 August after exhibiting symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever following a business trip to Sierra Leone, Saudi's Ministry of Health said. The cause of the infection is still under investigation, and people who had been in contact with the man are being traced or monitored for symptoms of Ebola.
Gulf Business has also reported that hajj visas are not being issued to pilgrims of the affected countries, while the Minister in charge of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia is quoted in the Malay Mail as stating that the hajj will continue as normal from the country. Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said only healthy pilgrims would be allowed on the hajj.
At present there are no cases of transmission outside of the affected West African countries, but the situation could change rapidly. The next few weeks will answer questions such as whether Ebola spreads easily in countries which are prepared for epidemics, and whether a cure can be made available quickly.
View the latest FAQ on EVD here. There are currently no registered medicines or vaccines against the virus, though several experimental options are currently under development.