BEIJING, Dec. 20 -- The second group of Chinese medical experts left for Sierra Leone early Saturday to assist in the prevention and control of the Ebola virus, said a statement released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The 14 expert members of the team will offer training to 4,000 personnel in Sierra Leone.

The team's experience and specialisms cover infectious disease prevention and control; epidemiology; health education; lab experiment; clinical medicine; and infection control. All have undergone strict training.

In addition, materials weighing 2.4 tonne were also taken to Sierra Leone, including training books and videos; personal protection equipment; temperature-testing equipment; disinfection apparatus; anti-malaria drugs; and logistics.

The first group of 12 Ebola experts set out for Sierra leone on Nov. 9, they have since trained 2,000 personnel on Ebola control and prevention, and their work has been acknowledged by the local and international community.

The deadly virus has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in west Africa since earlier this year, according to the World Health Organization.