Lockdown in Sierra Leone in bid to stop Ebola outbreak

Sierra Leone starts a three-day nationwide lockdown today in an effort to halt an Ebola outbreak that has left thousands in the region dead and concerns that even more are at risk.

As part of the lockdown strategy, no one will be allowed to leave their homes for three days, allowing volunteers to go door-to-door educating people on the deadly virus.

The nation's officials have instructed Muslims to pray at home on Friday while Christians should do the same on Sunday.

"We believe this is the best way for now to identify those who are sick and remove them from those who are well," said Alhaji Alpha Kanu, the nation's minister of information.