BUNIA, Congo: Health responders in Congo have warned that Ebola cases have been spreading at an unprecedented and alarming rate, with the latest government data released on August 19 registering 5,000 cases, making it increasingly difficult to contain in one of the country's most remote regions.

Data from Congo's Ministry of Health showed that the outbreak had recorded 5,021 cases and 2,378 deaths as of August 16. The disease is spreading in extremely difficult conditions, with insecurity, displacement and large movements of people making the response more challenging.

The outbreak has infected and killed people faster than any other Ebola outbreak recorded in history.

From the time the first case was detected, the outbreak has spread about three times faster than the Ebola outbreak that affected West Africa between 2014 and 2016. That outbreak was the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded and caused more than 11,000 deaths.

"We must be frank: the epidemic is far from being under control," Tedros said.

He also warned that the outbreak was spreading quickly and that the risk of it spreading further within Congo and to other countries remained high.

Security problems have made it harder for health workers to respond to the outbreak. Medical teams have been targeted, particularly in Ituri province, which has been hit hardest by the disease.

Earlier this week, residents attacked a health team in the territory of Aru after a suspected Ebola case was reported there.

According to Michael Wani, president of the Union of Cultural Associations for the Development of Ituri, a mob set fire to an ambulance and damaged two other vehicles during the attack.