New Delhi, May 16 -- African health officials say there is a new Ebola outbreak in the Central African country of Congo, with at least 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths.

The severe disease that is often fatal was first identified in 1976 after two outbreaks in quick succession in what is now South Sudan and Congo, according to the World Health Organization.

All the major Ebola outbreaks have been in sub-Saharan Africa, where the viruses that cause it are native. The worst have been in West and Central Africa.

Ebola has a high fatality rate

Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses. Three of them are known to cause large outbreaks: Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus, WHO says.

A family of fruit bats are believed to be t...