The World Health Organization has called for increased international support to contain the worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that the disease continues to spread faster than response efforts.

The outbreak, declared less than three months ago, is now the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the country. According to the latest government figures, the outbreak has resulted in 3,802 confirmed cases and 1,707 deaths as of Tuesday.

The disease is largely concentrated in the remote Ituri Province, which accounts for nearly 90 per cent of all reported infections. The WHO said it is currently monitoring more than 17,000 people who may have been exposed to the virus, with nearly 80 per cent of them being followed up daily.

— AFRICANEWS.COM