The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 5,160 people have now died of Ebola across eight countries, from a total 14,098 cases of infection.
The WHO acknowledged though that the number of deaths is likely far higher, given that the fatality rate in the current outbreak is known to be about 70 per cent.
The fresh toll, which runs up until November 9, comes as the outbreak appeared to be spreading in Mali.
There have been a total of four confirmed and probable cases in Mali and four deaths, the WHO said.
The deadliest Ebola outbreak ever meanwhile continues to affect Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone the most.
“There is some evidence that case incidence is no longer increasing nationally in Guinea and Liberia, but steep increases persist in Sierra Leone,” the WHO said in a statement.
“Cases and deaths continue to be under-reported in this outbreak.”
Ebola is still spreading intensely in Sierra Leone’s capital of Freetown, with Koinadugu and Kambia northern regions now “emerging areas of concern”, it said.
In its latest toll, WHO said 2,836 deaths were recorded in Liberia, out of a total of 6,822 cases.
In Sierra Leone, 1,169 people had died from the virus out of 5,368 cases.
In Guinea, there were 1,142 deaths from 1,878 cases.
Data from Nigeria and Senegal remained unchanged, and both countries have been declared Ebola free.
Nigeria had eight deaths and 20 cases, while Senegal had one case and no deaths.
In Mali, the WHO reported three additional Ebola deaths, but said they were not linked to the only other case and death recorded in the country – that of a two-year-old girl from Guinea.
There has been one case of infection in Spain, where an infected nurse has recovered.
In the United States, four Ebola cases have been recorded and one person – a Liberian – had died from the virus.
Ebola, one of the deadliest viruses known to man, is spread only through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms such as fever or vomiting.
People caring for the sick or handling the bodies of people infected by Ebola are therefore especially exposed.
The WHO said on Wednesday a total of 564 healthcare workers were known to have contracted the virus, and 320 of them had died.
AFP/Reuters