Ebola treatment challenged by DR Congo rebel activity

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Rebel activity round a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo is complicating the battle against Ebola, the World Health Organization says.

The WHO's Peter Salama spoke of "extremely serious security concerns" round the eastern town of Oicha.

It is encircled by a feared Ugandan Islamist militia, the Allied Democratic Forces - a "dreaded" scenario, he said.

An Ebola outbreak erupted in the region on 1 August, with 63 deaths to date.

The militia has been blamed for a series of killings and kidnappings, including of foreigners, the WHO warns.

The WHO's concerns have been compounded as it emerged that a doctor infected with Ebola is among those trapped in Oicha.

"So for the first time really we have a confirmed case and contacts in an area of very high insecurity," said Dr Salama, WHO's emergency response chief in Geneva.

"It really was the problem we were anticipating and the problem at same time that we were dreading."

There have been 103 confirmed or probable cases in the latest outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri regions.

According to the WHO, a large number of civilians have been killed by unrest around Oicha, and aid workers, priests and government officials are being held hostage.