The World Health Organization has reported nearly 500 confirmed Ebola cases in Central Africa, raising concerns among global health experts. Authorities are monitoring the outbreak closely as efforts intensify to contain the spread and prevent further infections across affected regions.

As Ebola spreads in East Africa, the United States is playing a much smaller role than it has in previous outbreaks. That leaves China, an economic powerhouse with epidemic control and biotech expertise, as the next global power that could commit supplies, money and medical workers to the effort.

With a dangerous Ebola outbreak growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States playing a smaller role than in past crises, attention is turning to China and whether it is willing to take on a larger global health leadership role.

A European Union humanitarian airlift has delivered 100 tons of emergency supplies to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.

The latest Ebola outbreak is showing no signs of slowing. On April 24, the first suspected case of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola was detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On May 17,

The drop in aid assistance to combat Ebola has contributed to the spread of the latest outbreak, say doctors in the field and those with experience fighting the virus.