Tanzania, June 30 -- Geneva. The United Nations has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could cost the continent up to $3.6 billion and lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, raising fears of a wider economic and development crisis if containment efforts fail.

The warning comes as health authorities struggle to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda, with international agencies calling for urgent financial and logistical support.

Speaking on Tuesday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the DRC, Damien Mama, said the outbreak posed a threat not only to public health bu...