Family care

A striking sight is that of relatives trying to care for their loved ones. Many come wearing just flip-flops and a simple face mask when they visit a patient in the isolation ward.

"It's a tradition in Africa for families to take care of their sick," a WHO employee said. "But we have to put a stop to that, it's much too risky."

Wilson Oherein had heard only vaguely of Lassa fever before his wife contracted the disease, to die of it a few days ago.

Their three-year-old daughter was also contaminated by Lassa fever and she was being cared for in the isolation ward at Irrua.

Oherein usually spends his days at his daughter's bedside and feeds her. But this afternoon, he is resting in a half-finished building behind the hospital, with other family members of patients.

He is lying, exhausted, on a mat on the floor. "I will be fine," he tries to convince himself, his forehead beaded with sweat. "I'm just anxious for my daughter and the mourning of my wife. It knocks me down."

Agence France-presse