Sierra Leone Ebola outbreak death toll now five

A British mining company says some of its personnel have left Sierra Leone amid an outbreak of the Ebola disease that has killed at least five people.

London Mining Company spokesman Osman Lahai said Tuesday that eight of their non-essential staff left the country over the weekend as a result of the deadly viral outbreak.

No cases have been reported near the company's Marampa mine.

But Lahai says the company also has introduced mandatory body temperature screening at their sites, and those with a high fever would be referred to hospital for further examination.

Health officials have confirmed 15 cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone following outbreaks in Guinea and Liberia. At least five people already have died in Sierra Leone though no cases have been confirmed in the capital.