New Delhi, May 15 -- A new outbreak of Ebola disease has gripped Congo's North-eastern Ituri Province. Africa's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) claimed on Friday, May 15, that around 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.

"Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, pending confirmation," Africa CDC said in an update on Friday.

This is the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since the virus was first identified in 1976, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted to people from wild anim...