United Nations, November 3 (RHC-TeleSur) -– The Director of Epidemiology of the World Health Organization (WHO), Sylvie Briand, praised the role of Cuban doctors in the battle against the Ebola outbreak affecting several West African countries.

“The solidarity of the Cuban doctors is wonderful. They were the first to respond to the international call and I think that everybody must acknowledge their courage,” said Briand during a conference at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France.

Representatives from 35 countries across the Americas, including the United States, met in Havana last week to discuss a regional plan of action to combat Ebola, with participants agreeing on an action plan to combat Ebola and avoid its spread in the region. A document from the conference outlining the plan is scheduled to be released in coming days.

Cuba has sent a team of 256 health professionals, including 83 doctors and nurses, to Ebola-hit West African nations to help stem the spread of the deadly epidemic that has killed almost 4,900 people, according to WHO figures.

Since the virus was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, 23 outbreaks have been reported in several countries. The most recent outbreak began in Guinea, but spread to neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia, which is currently the most affected country.

The Ebola virus is a form of hemorrhagic fever with immediate symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, and it remains one of the world's most virulent diseases. It spreads through direct contact with human fluids and it can also be transmitted through the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses.