Accra, Oct 21 (IANS) A UN official Monday reiterated support to Ghana's preparedness to contain a possible spread of the Ebola virus disease.

Speaking here during the launch of the 69th celebration of the UN Day, Wolfgang Haas, Coordination Specialist of the UN in Ghana, said, in the wake of the Ebola crisis the UN had a central role in ensuring a rapid and effective response to eradicate Ebola as quickly as possible, Xinhua reported.

"In Ghana, the UN is working closely with government to ensure Ghana has the necessary infrastructure and capacities in place to protect the population from this deadly virus," said Haas.

The Ebola disease has so far killed some 4,500 people in the three West African states of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, out of over 8,900 cases.

According ot experts, Ebola poses a threat to the world's peace and security, hence united efforts are needed to stop it.

In response, the UN has stationed its Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) in Ghana's capital, Accra to provide a platform for wide-ranging international efforts to put an end to the spread of the disease.

This is the first time in history that the UN has created a mission for a public health emergency.