International Development Secretary Rory Stewart has called for other countries to step in to help overstretched local health services take control with the death toll standing at more than 1,300. World Health Organisation (WHO) chiefs said mistrust of health workers and attacks on Ebola clinics by armed militias have contributed to an acceleration in what is now the second-worst outbreak of the virus on record.
The outbreak reached 1,000 cases in March, more than seven months after it was first detected last August and it has taken less than three more months to pass the 2,000 figure.
Mr Stewart said: “The UK continues to be at the forefront of the response but this needs to be a global effort with others stepping up their support.
“This outbreak is potentially devastating for the region. It could spread easily to neighbouring provinces and even to neighbouring countries.
“Last month I convened a meeting of experts and concluded as well as funding, we need more people on the ground to help coordinate efforts to contain this deadly disease. We need to act fast and we need to act generously.”
The WHO has not declared the outbreak an international public health emergency and said such a move would make no difference to its response.
The United Nations has pledged to step up its support including appointing someone to coordinate international agencies.
Local officials and aid teams said health workers faced resistance from remote communities who believe Ebola is a conspiracy made up by aid agencies and the government and also from armed groups seeking to stoke instability for their own gain.
Corinne N’Daw, Oxfam’s country director in Congo, said: “The current response to tackle Ebola isn’t working.
“No matter how effective treatment is, if people don’t trust or understand it, they will not use it.”
A mob killed an Ebola health worker and looted a clinic in the village of Vusahiro earlier this month.
The WHO said there were 42 attacks on health facilities, with 85 workers either injured or killed, Between January and early May.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said: “Every time there an incident we are not able to provide services and go into communities.
“We are not able to vaccinate, not able to treat those who are ill, we are not able to follow up on those who may have been exposed to the virus.”