YAOUNDE, May 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The deadly Ebola virus has killed 10 in the Republic of Congo, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, according to news from Brazzaville.

    "The epidemic can spread and last a few weeks or even months," said the WHO, warning that those who refused to go to hospital after contacting the victims will become infected and develop the disease in a few days.

    Since May 4, 12 suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in the Itoumbi region and the Mbomo, and 10 of them died, said the WHO in a statement. They had all shown some symptoms of Ebola, such as deadly fever and hemorrhage.

    Medical experts from Congo and epidemiologists from neighboringGabon confirmed the victims died of Ebola after testing samples from the dead bodies.

    Itoumbi and Mbomo were sealed off last week, but the governmentsaid quarantine was difficult to be implemented there as many people can easily slip out and disappear into the deep forest where the regions are located.

    Ebola spreads through body fluids and causes rapid death through blood loss in up to 90 percent of patients as there are noeffective medicines so far.

    Nearly 370 people have died of Ebola in Congo and neighboring Gabon. Enditem