Air France has temporarily suspended flights to Sierra Leone, following the French government's recommendation on the Ebola-hit country.

The flag carrier said on Wednesday that the "temporary suspension" of flights to capital Freetown would come into effect on Thursday.

The airline said it would maintain flights to and from Guinea and Nigeria. It does not fly to Liberia, the other West African state affected by Ebola.

The World Health Organization has recorded 392 deaths from the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone, with 910 cases.

"Given the evolution of the epidemic and the situation of the health system... authorities recommend the Air France company to temporarily suspend its services to Freetown," a report from a French ministerial meeting said.

The government also recommends avoiding Liberia and other areas of Sierra Leone.

Last week, a French trade union called on Air France cabin crew to refuse to board planes to countries affected by Ebola. Other international airlines, such as British Airways and Emirates, have already stopped their services.

The Ebola virus, a form of haemorrhagic fever, was detected in January in rural Guinea. The disease, for which there is no known treatment or cure, it has claimed some 1,400 lives across West Africa.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization reported that it had shut a laboratory in Sierra Leone and withdrawn staff after a health worker was infected.

The WHO describes the Ebola virus disease as "one of the most virulent."

The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.