Ebola Virus 'Devouring Everything In Its Path'

The Ebola outbreak is continuing to spread throughout West Africa even as Liberian leaders say the epidemic now threatens the very existence of their country.

"We are meting at a time when Liberia is facing a serious threat to national existence," Liberian Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai said.

"The deadly Ebola virus has caused a disruption of the normal functioning of our state," Samukai added.

"The disease, which early this year was identified in the remote villages of our country, has now reached urban centers, including the capital, Monrovia," Samukai said.

"It is now spread in a wild fire, devouring everything in its path," he said.

The United Nations envoy for Liberia warns that the deadly virus has political, economic, and social implications in the country.

The World Health Organization has warned that thousands more cases could occur in Liberia, which has been hit the hardest.

Health officials said the number of Ebola cases is actually significantly higher than what's being reported.

"I can't say enough about just how grave this is, just how deep the needs are and just how great the challenge is going to be," U.N. Coordinator in Liberia Karen Landgren said.

She warned there's a bigger crisis lurking in the shadow of Ebola.

"The regular health system has collapsed, bringing the potential for other health problems in its wake," Landgren said.

The epidemic has now claimed the lives of 2,288 in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.