Taipei, Dec. 5 (CNA) Taiwan has donated US$1 million to the CDC Foundation in the United States as part of its efforts to help deal with the outbreak of the Ebola virus, mainly in West Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

Taiwan's representative to the U.S., Shen Lyushun, donated the money on behalf of the government to the foundation on Thursday, the ministry said in a statement.

The foundation said the money will be put into a global disaster relief fund to be used to purchase generators, fuel, vehicles to transport medical devices and protective gear for medical staff working in areas on the frontline against Ebola, according to the ministry.

Established by the U.S. Congress as an independent, non-profit organization, the CDC Foundation connects the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with private sector organizations and individuals in an effort to improve public health around the world.

There have been 17,145 reported cases of Ebola, with 6,070 reported deaths, according to a World Health Organization report issued Wednesday, which said that the case incidence is slightly increasing in Guinea and stable or declining in Liberia. The case incidence may still be increasing in Sierra Leone, it said.

As part of Taiwan's efforts to join the international response to combat the disease, it also donated medical protective gear last week to help fight Ebola in West Africa through a cooperation program with the U.S., the ministry said.

Taiwan sent 100,000 coveralls and 100,000 surgical masks to Senegal by air freight for U.S. personnel working in areas on the frontline of the fight against Ebola, the ministry said.

It added that Taiwan expects to continue cooperating with the U.S. on various international affairs, including the fight against Ebola.

(By Elaine Hou)
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