The World Health Organization on Monday released the latest figures on the Ebola epidemic, with the number of suspected, probable and confirmed cases reaching 20,081, almost entirely in West Africa.
The Ebola death toll stands at 7,842, with all but a few deaths occurring in three countries: Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Those are the reported figures; health authorities repeatedly have warned the actual numbers of infections and deaths likely are much higher.
As of December 27, hardest-hit Sierra Leone accounted for almost half of all cases, at 9,409, while Liberia had the highest death toll, 3,413.
Meanwhile, a health care worker who returned from Sierra Leone has been diagnosed with Ebola and is being treated in a Glasgow hospital, Scottish authorities said Monday.
The current Ebola outbreak claimed its first victim last December and, according to medical experts, is likely to last until the end of 2015.
This has been the worst outbreak since the disease was identified in Central Africa in 1976.