[LambSlave]

comes up with a number in the mid and high 80 % range

You (incorrectly) assumed that the reported deaths are only those resulting from confirmed cases to get the 80%+ figure; this is NOT the case. You would have to find a data source for deaths only in the confirmed cases, I have not seen this data published by WHO or CDC. I stand by my assertion that the ~56% rate is correct for this outbreak, unless someone can show me a breakdown of the subset of deaths for confirmed cases vs all suspected cases.

[Covenantor]

Well the data source is the current WHO-Africa Ebola update page which makes the distinction between suspected, reported and lab verified cases.

I’m just guessing here, but probably the tallied deaths under the heading of Ebola updates are all Zaire Ebola Virus deaths. Haven’t yet come across any mention at all of Lassa or other hemmoragic disease.

http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/dpc/epidemic-a-pandemic-alert-and-response/outbreak-news/4239-ebola-virus-disease-west-africa-4-august-2014.html

[Covenantor]

Using only the laboratory confirmed ebola cases and deaths by my calculations the mortality rate is:
Aug 01 887/1009 =87.90%
July 30 826/953 = 86.67%
July 27 729/909 = 80.19%

feel free to check my arithmetic.

The suspected cases have yet to be verified as being Zaire Ebola.