Ebola crisis: Australia contributes $1 million to WHO

The Australian Government has announced it will be contributing $1 million dollars to the World Health Organization to help control the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and prevent further spread of the disease.

Red Cross volunteers managing dead bodies and helping to control the Ebola virus in West Africa. (AAP)

 

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In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says Australia's contribution will help WHO to provide immediate support to affected countries, including urgently needed medical supplies and equipment.

The funding comes on top of $20 million allocated by the Australian government for the WHO in 2014 and 2015.

Ms Bishop also says Australians should reconsider their travel plans to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, and should leave these countries while commercial flights are still available.

She warned that the risk of the outbreak spreading to Australia is very low.

"While Ebola is a very serious disease, there have been no cases of Ebola in Australia and the risk of an outbreak in Australia remains low," Ms Bishop said.

"Australia’s current border protection and infection control measures are consistent with WHO’s recommendations for countries not affected by the outbreak."

The WHO says the outbreak sweeping West Africa has claimed over 1400 lives.