BEIJING, Sept. 17  -- China again vowed to work with the international community to contain the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Wednesday.

Hong said a 59-member Chinese laboratory team, with 30 doctors and 29 laboratory technicians, departed Beijing on Tuesday. They will work at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital to help Sierra Leone improve lab testing.

This is the latest effort by China to help the fight against the Ebola epidemic. China had previously sent medical supplies and 115 medical experts to Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.

"This is a clear demonstration that China and Africa, as friends in need, are friends indeed," Hong said, adding that it showed the Chinese people's international humanitarianism.

As of Sept. 16, the total number of cases attributed to Ebola virus disease in West Africa had reached 4,985, including 2,461 deaths. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are the three hardest-hit countries.