Havana, October 20 (RHC) -- David Navarro, special envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Ebola, described as “extraordinary” the contribution of Cuba to the fight against this epidemic affecting West Africa.

“It is a show of solidarity, brotherhood and first-class support,” Navarro said upon his arrival at Havana's José Martí International Airport to participate in the Special Summit of ALBA, convened to address the Ebola emergency.

The UN official thanked Cuba for sending doctors, nurses and other health workers to aid African countries affected by Ebola, highlighting Cuba's historic friendship with the peoples of Africa.

He also expressed hope that other nations will come forward to provide similar support to combat the epidemic, which he stressed was a danger that concerned the entire world's population.

Considered to be the greatest global health emergency since AIDS, Ebola outbreak has affected 9191 people, and 4546 of them have died, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been the worst hit countries by the virus; meanwhile, experts believe that it could be catastrophic if the crisis has a broader regional reach; as it could affect more than 1,400,000 people by mid-January next year, Prensa Latina news agency reports.

Cuba was one of the first countries to respond to the UN call to assist patients in West Africa, with the formation of a brigade of 165 health professionals who are already working in Sierra Leone.