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 The 39-year-old Sheik Umar Khan, hailed as a "national hero" by the
health ministry, was leading the fight to control an outbreak that
has killed 206 people in the West African country. Ebola kills up to
90 percent of those infected and there is no cure or vaccine.
Across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, more than 600 people have
died from the illness, according to the World Health Organisation,
placing great strain on the health systems of some of Africa's
poorest countries.
Khan, a Sierra Leonean virologist credited with treating more than
100 Ebola victims, has been transferred to a treatment ward run by
medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, according to the statement
released late on Tuesday by the president's office.
Health minister Miatta Kargbo called Khan a national hero and said
she would "do anything and everything in my power to ensure he
survives".
Khan told Reuters in late June that he was worried about contracting
Ebola. "I am afraid for my life, I must say, because I cherish my
life," he said in an interview, showing no signs of ill health at
the time.
"Health workers are prone to the disease because we are the first
port of call for somebody who is sickened by disease. Even with the
full protective clothing you put on, you are at risk."
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Three days ago, three nurses working in the same Ebola treatment
center alongside Khan died from the disease.
The Ebola outbreak started in Guinea's remote southeast in February
and has since spread across the region. Symptoms of the highly
infectious disease are diarrhea, vomiting and internal and external
bleeding.
(Reporting by Umaru Fofana; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Robin
Pomeroy)
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