The weekend saw the African nation of Sierra Leone in lockdown as a measure to stop the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

It had become clear that international governments are not doing enough to help, as the deadly disease continues to claim thousands of lives.

Sierra Leone ordered its 6 million residents inside for three days so that volunteers could visits households, identify new cases and help deal with bodies.

The lockdown helped identify 123 new infections and located 92 bodies.

Volunteers were understood to have visited nearly all homes in town, though there have been questions raised as to the effectiveness of the tests and equipment they were using.

Police also had to arrest some people who broke the curfew early and began celebrating in the streets.

At last count, Ebola had infected 5,357 people across West Africa since March, with 2,630 recorded deaths.

Meanwhile, a petition has been launched asking the Australian Government to pledge more than the $8 million dollars offered in assistance so far.

The petition calls on Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to send a military team a build a field hospital in Sierra Leone, as the country is crying out for aid workers and physical support, rather than more money.