China sending new team to tackle Ebola

China is preparing to send a second medical team to Africa to help fight Ebola in Liberia.

The virus has infected 8,033 people and caused 3,879 deaths, according to World Health Organization figures released on Wednesday.

"The team consists of 100 medical workers mainly from the General Hospital of the Chengdu Military Region of the People's Liberation Army," said Li Yong, the hospital's medical team leader and medical department director.

"It is larger than the first team and has more professionals from the infectious disease department."

China sent 59 medical workers to Sierra Leone to help deal with Ebola on Sept 16.

The new group will build a hospital in Liberia with 60 beds, and is due to stay in the country for two to three months.

"The team members have gathered and we are collecting supplies and carrying out training for the mission," Li said. "Their departure date has not yet been decided."

Ten members of the group were involved in efforts to tackle SARS in 2003, and 14 took part in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.