Ebola outbreak spreads to Republic of Congo

An outbreak of the Ebola virus has spread to the Republic of Congo.

The United Nations health agency says 11 cases have so far been detected there.

Sixteen cases have already been reported in Gabon, and at least 15 people have died so far.

Health authorities had feared the disease would spread from Gabon to Republic of Congo as people crossed between the two countries.

At least one woman believed to be infected with Ebola fled Gabon and was located on the other side of the border in the village of Mbomo, Republic of Congo, health authorities said. The woman's baby had died and she was reported to be in a serious condition.

"The international team is operational on both sides of the border and is working closely in the field with the team from the Congolese Ministry of Health on outbreak control interventions," the World Health Organisation said.

Medical staff are tracing everybody who has had contact with any of the known victims and observing them for signs of the virus, to prevent further spread.

A total of 133 contacts are being followed up in Gabon and 94 in the Republic of Congo, WHO says.

WHO says more than 800 people have died of the disease since the virus was first identified in 1976 in western Sudan and in a nearby region of Congo. The disease last struck in Uganda, killing 224 people last year.