How British Business Has Been Hit By The Ebola Epidemic

British companies are braced for a 'significant impact' on revenues after being forced to retreat from operations in west Africa in the face of the worst ebola outbreak in history.
Almost a dozen UK companies with operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria - countries where the deadly disease has claimed 1,300 lives this year - have been forced to change their daily operations. It comes as South Africa announced it has suspended all travel from the affected areas, sparking concerns that mining giants with headquarters in the country could be forced to suspend operations. A South African health ministry statement declared 'a total travel ban for all non-citizens traveling from these high risk countries,' referring to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
London Mining, which controls the Marampa mine in western Sierra Leone, announced on Thursday the outbreak could cost the company an additional $1 per tonne produced in 2014 and force a reduction in drilling.

We continue to be vigilant about keeping our employees healthy and are working closely with the Sierra Leonean government and health agencies in this difficult time.'  PZ Cussons, the healthcare manufacturer behind Imperial Leather, added that they had created an 'Ebola Risk Committee' that has begin monitoring all employees' international and pan-African travel. A spokesman for the British firm, which has a significant presence in Nigeria, said: 'We have instructed employees not to travel to Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone until further notice. 'All other travel is in line with World Health Organisation advice, and whilst not being restricted, is being assessed on a case by case basis.