An Ebola outbreak has killed at least 59 people in Guinea , UNICEF said , as the deadly hemorrhagic fever has quickly spread from southern communities in the West African nation . Experts in the country had been unable to identify the disease , whose symptoms -- diarrhea , vomiting and fever -- were first observed last month . Health Minister Remy Lamah said Saturday initial test results confirm the presence of a viral hemorrhagic fever , which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to a group of viruses that affect multiple organ systems in the body . In a written statement , UNICEF said at least 59 out of 80 people who contracted Ebola have died . At least three of the victims were children . `` In Guinea , a country with a weak medical infrastructure , an outbreak like this can be devastating , '' the UNICEF representative in Guinea , Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya , said in the statement . UNICEF has prepositioned supplies and stepped up communication on the ground to sensitize medical staff and local populations on how to avoid contracting the illness , Agoya added . Isolation units . The Guinean Health Ministry warned that the disease is mainly spread from infected people , from objects belonging to ill or dead people , and by the consumption of meat from animals in the bush . So far , most of the cases have been in the forest area of southern Guinea , and health officials say they are offering free treatment for all patients . They 've urged people to stay calm , wash their hands and report all cases to authorities . The international medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres announced on Saturday it was reinforcing its medical and logistics teams in Guinea in response to the epidemic . It is also flying in 33 tons of medicines and equipment and setting up isolation units in the three affected areas in the country . `` Isolation units are essential to prevent the spread of the disease , which is highly contagious , '' Dr. Esther Sterk , MSF tropical medicine adviser , said in a written statement . `` Specialized staff are providing care to patients showing signs of infection . '' 2012 : Uganda declares end of Ebola outbreak .
Medical charity MSF to set up isolation units in affected areas . At least 59 out of 80 who contracted Ebola have died , UNICEF says . Most cases were in Guinea 's southern forest areas , health minister says . Symptoms include fever , vomiting and diarrhea .