Geneva, August 21 (QNA) - The UN's lead Ebola coordinator Julian Harness warned Friday that the virus is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 2,500 people reportedly dying over the past three months.

Harness said half of the deaths occurred in the last 20 days, warning that the outbreak is expanding faster than response efforts can contain it.

The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, although infections were believed to have been spreading for weeks before the official announcement.

The outbreak is concentrated in the country's north and east, where weak state institutions, poor healthcare services and the presence of armed groups have complicated efforts to contain the virus. (QNA)