Rwanda says it has strengthened Ebola screening measures at its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following growing concerns over the spread of the deadly virus in the region.

The move comes after the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Rwandan authorities say health screening has been intensified for travellers entering the country after a confirmed Ebola case was reported in the Congolese city of Goma, which lies near the Rwandan border.

Regional concern has also increased following confirmation that a man died from Ebola in Kampala, raising fears that the outbreak could spread further across East Africa.

Health officials say those who have died are believed to have recently travelled from Ituri Province in eastern DRC, considered the epicentre of the outbreak.

Medical experts have warned that the highly infectious virus could continue spreading if containment measures are not strengthened across the region.

Authorities say more than 200 suspected cases are currently being investigated as health teams work to trace contacts and contain the outbreak.

–ChannelAfrica–