The World Health Organisation said that 5,420 people had so far died of Ebola across eight countries, out of a total 15,145 cases of infection, since late December 2013.

On Friday, the UN health agency had reported 5,177 deaths and 14,413 cases, Reuters reminds.

The WHO believes that the number of deaths is likely far higher, given that the fatality rate in the current outbreak is known to be around 70%.

The deadliest Ebola outbreak ever continues to affect Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone the most.