Authorities say the top doctor treating Ebola in Sierra Leone has died from the disease.
Dr Sheik Umar Khan had been hospitalised in quarantine since he contracted the virus that has killed more than 670 people across West Africa this year.
His death Tuesday was confirmed by chief medical officer Dr Brima Kargbo, who had hailed Dr Khan as a “national hero” when he was diagnosed with the disease last week.
The virologist was credited with treating more than 100 patients.
Health workers have been especially vulnerable to contracting Ebola, which is spread through bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat, blood and urine. Two American health workers are currently being hospitalized with Ebola in neighboring Liberia.
The Ebola outbreak is the largest in history with deaths blamed on the disease in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and also Nigeria.
The disease has no vaccine and no specific treatment, with a fatality rate of at least 60 percent.
