Geneva, October 23 (RHC)-- The Ebola epidemic has so far claimed the lives of 4,877 people all around the world, while more than 9,936 people have been infected, according to the World Health Organization, the WHO.

The virus has been most devastating in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea which have incurred the most fatalities with 2,705, 1,259 and 904 deaths respectively, said the Ebola Response Roadmap Situation Report issued by the WHO on Wednesday.

"EVD (Ebola virus disease) transmission remains persistent and widespread in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Transmission remains intense in the capital cities of the three most affected countries," the report added.

However, the death toll is expected to be much higher and may even exceed 15,000 victims, the report added. "Case numbers continue to be under-reported, especially from the Liberian capital Monrovia," the WHO statement read.

The World Health Organization announced last week that Senegal and Nigeria have managed to staunch the spread of the virus and are now Ebola-free. The WHO is currently under fire for its failure to anticipate the current scope of the Ebola outbreak and falling short of giving a quick and appropriate response.

Ebola is a form of hemorrhagic fever whose symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, feces or sweat. It can also be spread through sexual contact or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses. There is currently no known cure for Ebola.