Liberia opening 2nd Ebola centre

Monrovia - Authorities in Liberia are opening a new centre to treat Ebola patients after the existing one in the capital became overwhelmed with patients.

Assistant Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah said the first centre was only meant to treat 25 people and now has about 80 patients.

The new center opening Saturday will have 120 beds but may eventually be tripled in size because of the ongoing crisis

Isolating Ebola patients is key to slowing the spread of the disease, as sick people can transmit it through their bodily fluids such as blood, sweat or urine.

The UN health agency has warned that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa may last another six months.

It also says the current toll of 1 069 may "vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak."