Some 208 people have now died from the Ebola virus in Guinea
after a deadly spike in recent days, world health officials say.
At least 21 people died and 37 new cases of suspected Ebola
were found between 29 May and 1 June, bringing the total number of cases in the
West African country to 328.
Of these, 193 have been confirmed by laboratory tests.
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world's
deadliest viruses.
More than half of the new deaths were in the southern
Guekedou region, where the outbreak is centred.
Three confirmed and 10 suspected new cases were recorded in
neighbouring Sierra Leone over the same period.
Six people are believed to have died there, as well as 10 in
Liberia.
Medical charities say one reason for the increase is that
some people are refusing to go to hospital for treatment, preferring to seek
help from traditional healers.
Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, can kill up to 90% of those
infected and is passed on through contact with the fluids of infected people or
animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.
But people have a better chance of surviving if it is
identified early and they receive medical attention.
Experts from the World Health Organisation and the Doctors
Without Borders charity are in the region, and about 600 people are under
observation after having possible contact with Ebola.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Symptoms include high fever, bleeding and central nervous
system damage
Fatality rate can reach 90%
Incubation period is two to 21 days
There is no vaccine or cure
Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have
diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery
Fruit bats are considered to be the natural host of the
virus
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