In West Africa, the Ebola virus that has been spreading since March has reportedly hit epidemic proportions, overwhelming relief workers being sent in to help tend the ill.

Since March, there have been 567 reported cases, 350 of which have proven fatal. The cases have been spread out in 60 different areas over three countries, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This is unusual, as most Ebola outbreaks are highly localized. The widespread nature of the outbreak has taxed relief efforts sent out to help.

So far, Doctors Without Borders has been the sole responder to this health crisis, sending more than 300 workers along with 40 tons of supplies and equipment to help those infected with the virus in these areas. The organization has no more resources to send out and the cases outpace the resources deployed.

“We have reached our limits,” said Dr. Bart Janssens, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders. “The epidemic is out of control.”

Officials posit that part of the reason behind the unusual range of this particular outbreak stems from how close the jungle where the outbreak originated is to certain high population cities. The capital of Guinea houses an international airport which is thought to have aided in the spread of the virus because it can take up to 21 days for a person who has been infected to begin displaying symptoms.

Symptoms from the Ebola virus start out mimicking the flu but get much worse over time. First there is fatigue, fever and headache. Eventually, excessive diarrhea and vomiting start, which could be dangerous on its own, but the body also loses its ability to clot blood. Bleeding, both internal and external, can occur, adding to the life threatening nature of the virus.

The typical mortality rate for the virus is very high at around 90 percent. The average amount of time it takes for a patient to die is 10 days. However, early medical interventions have been proven to significantly lower the threat of death. Isolation in early stages prevents the spread of the virus and IVs deliver valuable hydration, medication and nutrients. As a result of these steps, the death rate has hovered around 60 percent for this outbreak.

The World Health Organization is reported to be taking steps to send further aid to the affected areas.