Ebola Epidemic Infects, Kills Residents in New Guinea

An Ebola epidemic that has already killed dozens of people in Guinea's southern forests has now spread to the southern forests of the capital Conakry, according to the United Nations Children's Fund.

"At least 59 out of 80 who contracted Ebola across the West African country have died so far. Over the past few days, the deadly haemorrhagic fever has quickly spread from the communities of Macenta, Gueckedou, and Kissidougou to the capital, Conakry," UNICEF said in a statement, via the AFP.

UNICEF notes that at this time, at least 59 of the 80 infected with the disease have died as the virus appears to continue to spread in the area that's estimated to have a population of 1.5 and two million people.

"This outbreak is particularly devastating because medical staff are among the first victims, so far it has killed at least eight health workers who have been in contact with infected patients, hindering the response and threatening normal care in a country already lacking in medical personnel," UNICEF said.

The disease is typically transmitted through blood contact, feces or sweat. In some cases, it can also be contracted via sexual contact or by handling contaminated corpses without protection.

At this time, the agency has urged area residents not to attend funerals and to avoid all contact with sick or dead people.

This disease, first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976, has had eight major outbreaks. There is also no cure for the disease at this time.