Australia is monitoring the latest deadly Ebola outbreak in central and eastern Africa “very closely”, Health Minister Mark Butler says as the death toll continues to climb.

Ebola virus disease is among the world’s most deadly infectious illnesses, with outbreaks killing anywhere from a quarter to almost 90% of those who contract it

Some 88 people have died from the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever in the DR Congo, with one death in Uganda, and at least 336 suspected cases.