DHAKA: Guinean president Alpha Conde has declared a 45-day ‘health emergency’ in five regions in the west and south-west of the country over Ebola.

The restrictions include the quarantining of hospitals and clinics where new cases are detected, new rules on burials and possible lockdowns.

The Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013.

In January, the World Health Organization reported a steady drop in cases in the three epicentre countries.

But renewed concern has been triggered by fresh setbacks in these countries - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Conde said he was declaring ‘a reinforced health emergency for a period of 45 days in the prefectures of Forecariah, Coyah, Dubreka, Boffa and Kindia’ in a statement published in national media.

The focus of the virus ‘has shifted to our country’s coastal areas,’ he said, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1158 HRS, MAR 29, 2015