Ebola is "running faster than us and it is winning the race," warns the head of the UN mission to tackle the epidemic.

Death rates now thought to be as high as 70 per cent

The number of ebola cases is expected to soar by the end of the year, with up to 10,000 new cases reported every week. This is according to a prediction by Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the latest figures, there have now been more than 8,900 ebola cases and nearly 4,500 deaths. Fatality rates are now believed to be 70 per cent, rather than 50 per cent as previously estimated.

Anthony Banbury, who is head of the United Nations mission to stop the deadly epidemic that is causing devastation in West Africa, said ebola is "running faster than us and it is winning the race".

Speaking from Ghana via video link to the UN Security Council, Mr Banbury said: "We either stop ebola now or we face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan".

According to WHO recommendations, ebola must be brought under control within 60 days, starting from October 1. This means ensuring 70 per cent of infected people are in hospital and 70 per cent of burials are carried out without further spread of the virus.

"We must defeat ebola and we must do it fast," Mr Banbury concluded.

Image © CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith, Wikimedia Commons