WHO says new Ebola cases on rise again

"Weekly case incidence increased in all three countries for the first time this year," the UN health agency said.

During the seven days leading up to February 1, 124 new cases were confirmed across the three West African countries at the epicenter of the devastating outbreak.

Thirty-nine of the new cases were in Guinea, compared to 30 the previous week, five in Liberia, up from four a week earlier, and 80 in Sierra Leone, up from 65 during the week to January 25, according to the latest statistics.

"Continued community resistance, increasing geographical spread in Guinea and widespread transmission in Sierra Leone, and a rise in incidence show that the (Ebola) response still faces significant challenges," WHO said.

In total, 22,495 people have been infected with the virus across nine countries, and 8,981 of them have died, according to the latest numbers.

All but 15 of the deaths have occurred in the three West African countries.