Government health workers are seen during the administration of blood tests for the Ebola virus in Kenema, Sierra Leone, June 25, 2014.
Government health workers are seen during the administration of blood tests for the Ebola virus in Kenema, Sierra Leone, June 25, 2014. REUTERS REUTERS/Umaru Fofana

The Ebola virus continues to spread in Sierra Leone, this time reaching a high government official. The latest to be infected the virus, which could be fatal, is the bodyguard of Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana.

With this development, Sam-Sumana went into a voluntary 21-day quarantine beginning on Sunday. He said, “I do not want to take chances and I want to lead by example,” quotes VOA News.

However, the VP clarified that he is very well and exhibit no sign of the ailment.

Besides himself, the VP called on other people who had been in contact with his dead bodyguard to show themselves to authorities for quarantine, reports Chron.com.

In the last two weeks, new Ebola diagnosed cases are on the rise again in West Africa after the numbers had gone down. In Sierra Leone, there were 63 new confirmed cases in the last seven days.

With this development, President Ernest Bai Koroma brought back curfews and other travel restrictions to cut or prevent close contact between travelers on vessels, cabs and other forms of public transportation.

Ebola has claimed almost 10,000 lives in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia in the past 12 months, including health workers and from other nations.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au