BBC begins nightly Ebola service in Africa

The BBC has launched Ebola broadcasts in west Africa, giving a round-up of developments in the fight against the epidemic.

BBC World Service radio has begun nightly Ebola broadcasts for west Africa. (AAP)

BBC World Service radio has begun nightly Ebola broadcasts for west Africa, concentrating on efforts to combat the virus across the region.

The nine-minute News About West Africa broadcasts include a round-up of developments, particularly from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the three worst-affected countries.

"Through local stories, correspondents and interviews, the broadcast will include the latest information about local, regional and international effort to contain and combat the disease," the British Broadcasting Corporation said in a statement on Monday.

"There is a great deal of new information emerging about how best to respond to Ebola and the programme aims that to share that with an African and global audience."

The World Health Organization updated the epidemic's overall death toll on Monday to 2793, while adding that the outbreak was basically contained in Senegal and Nigeria.

"Lack of knowledge and myths about the disease are killing people as surely as Ebola is," BBC World Service director Peter Horrocks said.

"Quality information from both within and outside the countries affected about how the risks of Ebola can be safely managed will save lives."