Ebola Virus – Epidemiological Update for West Africa as of January 13, 2015In the four countries currently affected in West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali), the WHO reports a total of 21,179 cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed) and 8,377 deaths.New cases are distributed very unevenly across districts in the three countries most affected by the Ebola virus (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone). Sierra Leone remains the most affected country, despite a slight decrease in the number of new cases per week over the past four weeks.In Liberia, the number of new cases has been decreasing nationwide since mid-November. In Guinea, the situation remains volatile. Over the past week, 74 new cases were reported. Transmission is still active in the three capitals (Conakry, Freetown, and Monrovia).The situation in Mali remains unchanged, with 8 cases and 6 deaths. No cases have been reported since November 25. In the United Kingdom, the first case was confirmed on December 29 in a healthcare worker returning from Sierra Leone. All contacts have been identified, and none were considered high-risk.