The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, seeking to mobilize support against a rare virus strain that likely has spread for weeks undetected and has no approved vaccine or treatment.

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.

Officials suspect the disease has caused 80 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo so far.