Countdown to global disaster: UN warns world has just 60 days to stop Ebola outbreak

The world has just 60 days to get control of the Ebola outbreak, the UN has warned.

The organisation says the virus is 'running faster than us and it is winning the race' as it continues to ravage West Africa and spread across the globe.

Nearly 4,500 people have died from Ebola so far in the current epidemic, with nearly 9,000 cases reported.

Anthony Banbury, the UN's deputy Ebola coordinator said: "The [World Health Organization] advises within 60 days we must ensure 70% of infected people are in a care facility and 70% of burials are done without causing further infection.

"We need to do that within 60 days from 1 October. If we reach these targets then we can turn this epidemic around."

He said the 70% target was becoming more and more difficult to meet as new infections are reported.

He said the epidemic needs to be stopped now, "or we face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan."

The WHO said they could be as many as 10,000 new cases of Ebola a week in just two months time if things continue as they are.

It comes as photos emerged of Ebola victims being burned on a huge funeral pyre in Liberia.

The government has allowed cremation to take place as the bodies are highly contagious.   

Ebola had never been diagnosed outside of Africa

It is believed there was a window of about three months when serious action could have halted the spread of Ebola.

But that action was not forthcoming because many assumed it would not become a real threat.

Ebola is easy to spread - even nurses who were using protective gear while dealing with Ebola patients have contracted the disease.

Now cases have been confirmed across the world, and many believe it's only a matter of time before it hits Britain.