At least 100 deaths have been reported in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 390 cases suspected, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has told the BBC.
Jean Kaseya warned that with no approved drugs or vaccines people should follow public health measures, including at funerals of Ebola victims.
There are also two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the current strain of Ebola, which is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, an international emergency.
The WHO has said the outbreak in DR Congo's eastern Ituri province is a public health emergency of international concern, but did not meet the criteria of a pandemic. However, the agency has warned it could potentially be a much larger outbreak than currently detected. It emphasized that preventive measures are critical, particularly during community funerals which could exacerbate the spread of the virus.
Neighboring countries are being urged to enhance their preparedness, with Rwanda tightening its border screenings and Nigeria closely monitoring the situation.
