NAIROBI, August 11. /TASS/. The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began in February, several months before it was officially declared, Africanews reported, citing World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi.

Genetic sequencing of the virus made it possible to establish when the outbreak began, he said. The initial cases were mistakenly diagnosed as malaria, typhoid fever or infection with a more common type of Ebola virus.

"This is a four months' delay. So we are chasing the virus. The virus is ahead of us," Janabi said at a news conference in the eastern DR Congo city of Bunia.

Many patients die because they seek medical care too late, the WHO official said. Communities outside Bunia lack medical facilities, forcing patients to travel long distances. As a result, many arrive at hospitals in critical condition.

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was announced on May 15. More than 4,300 cases have been confirmed so far, with over 2,000 deaths. The outbreak was caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments are currently available.

Armed groups, a shortage of protective equipment and mistrust among some residents are hampering efforts to contain the disease. Ebola response workers in Kisangani told Radio Okapi that they have not received state salaries since the disease began spreading in the city, while partner organizations reimburse only their transport costs.

The current outbreak has become the fastest-spreading on record. During the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa, the deadliest by number of victims, the death toll reached 1,000 about eight months after the outbreak began.