Heavy fighting between the the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army and rebels has been reported in the east of the DRC as health workers continue to battle a deadly Ebola outbreak.

Clashes broke out between the M23 rebels and DRC forces in North Kivu province, in the east of the DRC, after several weeks of relative calm.

Health officials warn that the clashes will make it difficult to tackle the outbreak of the disease.

Residents say the two sides are fighting for control of Katoyi town, which is in Masisi territory.

Hundreds of civilians have been displaced by the fighting as the region grapples with an Ebola outbreak.

Cases of the infectious disease have been reported in North and South Kivu provinces, which are partly controlled by M23 rebels.

Health officials say the fighting and population displacement are making it hard to transport medical supplies and treat patients.

There are also fears that civilians fleeing the violence may spread the disease to other areas.

The Ebola outbreak in the DRC is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain for which there is no approved vaccine.

The World Health Organisation recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

That category is reserved for diseases with a high risk of spreading globally.

Despite the United Nations health body saying the risk of the disease spreading in the DRC is very high, it also says the global risk remains low.

The United States and the African Union are leading efforts to end the conflict in eastern DRC, but fighting has continued.

—SABC—