Uganda has closed its border with Congo following a rise in suspected cases of a rare strain of Ebola.
According to media reports, the move highlights growing concerns over the spread of the infectious disease in East Africa. The rare strain of the Ebola virus responsible for the outbreak currently has no approved treatment or vaccine.
According to data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Congo has recorded 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 confirmed deaths, along with at least 1,077 additional suspected cases and 246 suspected deaths linked to the disease.
The CDC and WHO stated that Uganda had seven confirmed cases, including one death caused by the virus.
Like Congo, Uganda has previously experienced Ebola outbreaks. A local task force in Uganda decided to close the border.