Sierra Leone vice president in Ebola quarantine

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - Sierra Leone's vice president has put himself in quarantine following the death from Ebola of one of his security guards.

Vice President Sam Sumana voluntarily decided to quarantine himself for 21 days following the death from Ebola last Tuesday of one of his security personnel, according to a report issued late Saturday by the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation.

Sumana called on all those who have been in contact with the dead man to also put themselves in quarantine, said the report.

"The Vice President opted to quarantine himself because he wants to lead by example," Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Theo Nicol told the Associated Press. Sumana will carry out his official duties from home for 21 days, he said.

Sumana's dramatic quarantine comes as Sierra Leone is experiencing a rise in new Ebola cases which prompted President Ernest Bai Koroma to reinstate restrictions on Saturday.

Sierra Leone recorded 18 new cases of Ebola in the week ending Saturday, up from 16 new cases last week. This breaks the trend of declining cases in Sierra Leone. Many of the new clusters of cases are related to the capital's fishing industry.

The measures re-imposed include a nighttime ban on all boats launching from shore and from commercial vehicles off-loading goods in western market areas. Naval vessels will patrol the shore and wharves.

In addition there will be restrictions on ferries and health checkpoints by the police will be strengthened. Public transportation will be reinstated which limit the numbers of passengers in taxis to two in cars and four at the back of large taxi vans.