Ebola: World Bank lowers 2014 growth for worst-hit nations

The World Bank has revised downwards its 2014 GDP growth projections for the three nations worst hit by the current Ebola outbreak - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

"The Ebola epidemic continues to cripple the economies," it said.

Its report comes as bank President Jim Yong Kim begins a two-day visit to West Africa to assess the impact.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 5,987 people have died from Ebola in the three nations.

The latest World Bank report still shows positive projected growth there for 2014, but at much lower rates.

It said that "all three countries had been

growing rapidly in recent years and into the first half of 2014".

World Bank growth estimates

Liberia 2014: Pre-crisis 5.9%; October 2.5%; Now 2.2%

Sierra Leone 2014: Pre-crisis 11.3%; October 8%; Now 4%

Guinea 2014: Pre-crisis 4.5%; October 2.4%; Now 0.5%

Liberia 2015: Pre-crisis 6.8%; October 1%; Now 3%

Sierra Leone 2015: Pre-crisis 8.9%; October 7.7%; Now -2%

Guinea 2015: Pre-crisis 4.3%; October 2%; Now -0.2%

Source: World Bank

The bank is now also projecting negative growth for two of the nations in 2015 - Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The bank adds: "In Liberia, where there are signs of progress in containing the epidemic and some increasing economic activity, the updated 2015 growth estimate is 3%, an increase from 1% in October but still less than half the pre-crisis estimate of 6.8%."

It says: "These latest projections imply forgone income across the three countries in 2014-15 totalling more than $2bn."

Mr Kim said: "This report reinforces why zero Ebola cases must be our goal. While there are signs of progress, as long as the epidemic continues, the human and economic impact will only grow more devastating."

'Gap closing'

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the 60-day goals it had set itself for tackling Ebola in the three nations were largely met.

The WHO had set a target of isolating and treating 70% of patients and of safely burying 70% of victims in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea by 1 December.

Dr Aylward said the "yawning gap" between disease levels and the capacity to cope had narrowed significantly.

But he warned: "There is no room for optimism when you are dealing with the Ebola virus. It's not about low numbers, it's about zero."

Earlier, the head of the UN Ebola response mission in West Africa, Tony Banbury, told the BBC there was still a "huge risk" the disease could spread to other parts of the world.

Speaking in Sierra' Leone's capital, Freetown, Mr Banbury said: "It may spread around this sub-region, or someone could get on a plane to Asia, Latin America, North America or Europe... that is why it is so important to get down to zero cases as quickly as possible".

Bodies still contain high levels of the Ebola virus

At least 20% of new infections occur during burials, WHO says

Relatives perform religious rites including touching or washing the body

Safe burial process involves observing rituals differently, such as "dry ablution"

Volunteers with full protective clothing are trained to handle and disinfect bodies

BBC Business