Ebola outbreak death toll in West Africa rises to 135

Voice of America News: The World Health Organization says the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to at least 135. In a Thursday statement the WHO says Guinea's health ministry had reported a total of 122 deaths, while 13 deaths had been reported by Liberian health officials.

The WHO says officials are investigating more than 200 suspected or confirmed cases of the virus in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Six suspected cases in Mali tested negative and no new suspected cases have been reported.

This is the first major outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Authorities say it began in a forested southeastern region of Guinea in February.

The Ebola virus is spread by contact with bodily fluids. It causes symptoms that include vomiting, unstoppable bleeding and organ failure....

A CDC image of the Ebola virus