Nigeria, May 18 -- The declaration was announced on Monday, 18 May, after health officials reported about 246 suspected Ebola cases and around 80 deaths in eastern DR Congo, mainly in Ituri province.

According to the WHO, the outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or medicines.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there were "significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread" of the outbreak.

The WHO said the situation did not yet meet the conditions of a pandemic emergency but warned that the outbreak could become much larger if control measures fail.

Cases have been reported in Bunia, Mongwalu, and Rwampa...