Sierra Leone records most Ebola cases

DAKAR, Senegal - World Health Organization figures show that more people have now been infected by Ebola in Sierra Leone than in Liberia.

Liberia, where the disease quickly moved to the capital and whipped around crowded slums, has long been the worst affected, with the most infections and the most deaths. But data published Monday showed that Sierra Leone has recorded 7,798 cases, while Liberia has 7,719. Liberia still has more deaths.

The data is up to date through Dec 3 for Liberia, but through Dec 6 for Sierra Leone. Also, case numbers occasionally fluctuate significantly as backlogs are cleared.

But the latest data reflects the fact that the disease is now spreading fastest in Sierra Leone, while infection rates stabilize in Liberia and Guinea.

Overall, Ebola has infected 17,834 people, killing 6,346.