The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was spreading at its fastest pace yet, with nearly 2,000 confirmed infections and more than 700 deaths.

The global body urged the international community that "now is not the time to drop the ball" after more than 80 new infections were confirmed.

The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain, declared two months ago, has reached 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths across five provinces as of July 11, making it the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

WHO Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Chikwe Ihekweazu said one of the most alarming developments was that around 80% of new infections were emerging from "unknown chains of transmission", meaning they were not among identified contacts being monitored by health authorities.

He added that many recent deaths had occurred in communities without patients ever reaching health facilities, raising concerns that the true scale of the outbreak could be two to four times higher than officially reported.

The outbreak remains concentrated in Ituri province, where about 95% of new cases are being recorded, but the virus has recently spread to the neighbouring provinces of Haut-Uele and Tshopo.

"There is something driving the fire at its heart, and it is also expanding at the same time," Ihekweazu said, likening the outbreak to a rapidly spreading blaze.

There is currently no approved treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, although several experimental therapies are undergoing clinical trials. WHO said early supportive care significantly improves survival and stressed the need to identify patients sooner to reduce community transmission.

The organization also appealed for sustained international support, warning that stronger global cooperation was in every country's interest.