Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, says the 'unprecedented' geographic extension of the Ebola outbreak means it could reach the UK and other countries unless they take appropriate measures.

'We want all countries to know that they are not safe if they don't take appropriate measures,' he told The Guardian. It is the first time three African regions have been affected by Ebola.

The outbreak has reached 10,000 cases with almost 5,000 deaths, and cases have now been confirmed in DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and France — the only non-African country so far.

Kaseya compared the outbreak to the Covid pandemic, which began in one country before spreading worldwide, and warned that nations declaring 'zero risk' today could become tomorrow's hotspots.

'We shouldn't forget that at the beginning of Covid, many countries said there was zero risk of being affected, but a few months later, they became the hotspot,' he said. 'We don't want to see the UK and other countries become the hotspot.'

The Guardian reports that global travel keeps the risk live for any country, a point US specialists echo: Rush University Medical Center's Dr Michael Lin told ABC7 Chicago that 'someone with Ebola could get on a plane and show up anywhere in the world.'

The Guardian reports the response has been hampered by inadequate protective equipment and unpaid health worker wages, leading to strikes, while conflict in DR Congo, mistrust, misinformation and global aid cuts have complicated containment.

The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatment, though vaccine trials are under way, with results expected in three to six months according to Kaseya.

Governments have pledged $3bn, but more than $2bn remains outstanding — African countries committed $120m, with the rest expected from international donors including the US, UK and EU. 'We need this money now,' Kaseya said, warning that delays could turn costs into trillions as the outbreak moves.

Kaseya convened African health ministers on Wednesday to push greater cross-border cooperation, including screening and testing for people entering and exiting affected regions, and will ask African heads of state in November for a 'corridor of peace' so responders can reach Ituri safely.

'This outbreak is not for rebels, it's not for the official army, it's for everyone,' he said.

In the United States, ABC7 Chicago reports no cases have been confirmed and officials say the risk to Americans at home remains low, but Chicago hospitals say they are more prepared than ever — Rush University Medical Center and Lurie Children's Hospital are the city's designated treatment centers for highly infectious diseases.