World Bank lowers growth rate for Ebola-hit nations

The World Bank has revised downwards its 2014 GDP growth projections for the three nations worst hit by the Ebola outbreak - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. "The Ebola epidemic continues to cripple the economies," a World Bank official said.

Its report comes as bank President Jim Yong Kim begins a two-day visit to West Africa to assess the impact. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said 5,987 people have died from Ebola in the three nations. The latest World Bank report shows positive projected growth in those countries for 2014, but at much lower rates.

It said, "All three countries had been growing rapidly in recent years and into the first half of 2014".

World Bank growth estimates for Liberia 2014: Pre-crisis 5.9%, October 2.5%, today 2.2% , Sierra Leone 2014: Pre-crisis 11.3%, October 8%, Today4%, Guinea 2014: Pre-crisis 4.5%, October 2.4%, today 0.5% , Liberia 2015: Pre-crisis 6.8%, October 1%, today 3%, Sierra Leone 2015: Pre-crisis 8.9%, October 7.7%, today -2% and Guinea 2015: Pre-crisis 4.3%, October 2%, today -0.2%.