DHAKA: Global health experts Friday declared the Ebola epidemic ravaging West Africa an international health emergency that requires a coordinated global approach.

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are battling the Ebola virus, which has killed 932 people in those countries. The epidemic has also spread to Nigeria, reports CNN.

"The possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries," the World health Organization said Friday, after two days of emergency meetings.

The United Nations health agency described it as the worst outbreak in the four-decade history of tracking the disease.

"A coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop and reverse the international spread of Ebola," WHO said.

BDST: 1358 HRS, AUG 08, 2014