Congo's Ebola toll passes 3000, cases rise to 6186

More than 3000 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak was officially declared in mid-May, health authorities say.

A total of 6186 cases have been confirmed in the Central African nation, including 3007 deaths. Some 830 people are being treated or are in isolation, while 1409 patients are considered to have recovered.

The fatality rate stands at 48.6 per cent, meaning that almost one in two patients die. The death rate is particularly high among young children.

Ebola is transmitted through physical contact and contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe fever, diarrhoea and bleeding.

The United Nations has appealed for more funding as humanitarian agencies struggle to keep pace with the increasing number of cases.

"International attention, political focus and resources are still lagging behind the reality unfolding on the ground," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Guterres added the world "must also overcome another virus - the virus of indifference."

As researchers continue trials aimed at developing a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, Congolese authorities have rolled out a vaccination campaign focused on frontline health workers.

The vaccine was originally developed for a different Ebola variant, but officials hope it will provide some protection against the current outbreak.

Clinical trials of two antiviral treatments have been under way since early July.

Given the already high number of cases, experts believe the first Ebola infections may have occurred undetected as early as February.