Race to stop killer disease

Sept 5: WHO tally: more than 2,100 dead of about 4,000 people thought to have been infected.

Sept 9: WHO says at least 2,296 dead out of 4,293 cases recorded in five countries.

Sept 10: Premier Li Keqiang says China is prepared to "fight side by side" with West African countries to combat the Ebola epidemic.

Sept 16: China sends a medical team of 59 professionals to Sierra Leone.

The US promises to send 3,000 military engineers and medical personnel to West Africa to build clinics and train healthcare workers.

WHO says 2,461 dead of 4,985 infected, doubling death toll in past month.

Sept 17: Medecins Sans Frontieres says French nurse volunteer in Liberia has Ebola.

Sept 18: Chinese President Xi Jinping announces 200 million yuan aid package for nations' battle against Ebola, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The aid includes cash, food and materials. China will also give the WHO and the African Union with $2 million each in cash.

WHO says 2,630 dead of 5,357 thought infected.

The UN special mission to combat Ebola will deploy staff in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone. The Security Council adopts resolution calling for lifting travel, border restrictions.

French President Francois Hollande says military hospital will be set up in Guinea.

Sept 19: The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention announces a reagent it has developed that is hoped to improve early and accurate detection of the virus has been shipped to Sierra Leone.

Chinese health researchers announce development of portable kits to help with Ebola virus testing.

Streets in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, are deserted under three-day lockdown to try to halt Ebola's spread.

Sept 22: WHO declares outbreak largely contained in Senegal and Nigeria but says Ebola has killed more than 2,811 people in West Africa.

Sept 23: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates between 550,000 and 1.4 million people in West Africa may have Ebola by January.

Sept 26: WHO tally: 3,091 dead of 6,574 probable, suspected and confirmed cases.

Cuba says it will send nearly 300 doctors and nurses to West Africa to join 165 healthcare workers due there early October.

Sept 30: CDC confirms the first Ebola case diagnosed in the US.

Oct 1: WHO says 3,338 dead of 7,178 cases in West Africa.

Oct 3: WHO says 3,439 dead of 7,492 suspected, probable and confirmed cases in West Africa and the US, which has one.

Ugandan doctor with Ebola arrives in Frankfurt from Sierra Leone for treatment.

Oct 6: Spanish nurse is infected with Ebola; she treated infected Spanish priest who was repatriated to Madrid and died.

Oct 8: World Bank estimates financial impact of Ebola may be $32.6 billion in Africa.

US government orders five major airports to screen passengers from West Africa for fever.

Oct 9: China announces a second medical team made up of 100 professionals will be sent to help fight, treat and prevent Ebola in West Africa.

WHO revises Ebola death toll to 3,865 out of 8,033 cases, says there is no evidence epidemic is being brought under control in West Africa.

China gives $6 million to the World Food Program, which will use the money to procure and send food to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

Britain to screen passengers entering country through London's two main airports and Eurostar rail link with Europe.

Oct 10: WHO raises death toll to 4,033 out of 8,399 cases in seven countries. Most fatalities are in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Oct 11: Medical teams at New York's John F Kennedy International airport begin screening travelers from three West African countries for Ebola symptoms.

Oct 14: At Heathrow, London's busiest airport, Britain begins screening travelers from West Africa.

Oct 15: Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group in partnership with Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences seeks fast-track approval for an experimental drug that it believes may cure Ebola.

WHO raises death toll to 4,493 people of 8,997 cases; says epidemic still spreading in West Africa.

Oct 16: President Xi Jinping pledges further efforts with the international community to fight against the Ebola epidemic.

Oct 17: WHO raises death toll to 4,546 people of 9,191 cases.

Senegal declared free of Ebola.

Oct 18: Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of State John Kerry meet in US and agree to enhance cooperation on fighting the Ebola epidemic.

Oct 19: WHO upgraded death toll to 4,877 people of 9,936 cases.

Oct 20: Nigeria declared free of Ebola.

In Texas, 43 people taken off Ebola watch lists. About 260 still being monitored in Texas and Ohio.

Oct 20: Chinese authorities nationwide are instructed to increase vigilance and precautions to prevent an Ebola outbreak.

Sources: Reuters, China Daily and Xinhua.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 10/24/2014 page9)