Ebola case counts are quickly climbing as a rare strain hits a high-trafficked part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Public-health researcher James Baguma has studied the interactions between bats, which can carry the virus, and people in the region near the latest epidemic.

Growing global alarm surrounds the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, which has now been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. The current outbreak is centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda,

The WHO has declared an international public health emergency over the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda. Officials and former aid leaders say delayed detection, supply shortages and funding cuts worsened the crisis.

With over 80,000 Indians residing across the two African nations, authorities remain alert as the WHO warns that the Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than containment efforts.

Ebola is a viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. It can cause severe bleeding and organ failure, leading to death.

The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which spreads through close contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, vomit or faeces.

India's Health Ministry confirms no Ebola case after a Bengaluru individual with travel history tests negative for the virus.

More than 223 people are suspected to have died from the outbreak in DRC and Uganda. The World Health Organization has warned the epidemic will get worse before it gets better.

Officials have said the Ebola risk remains low ahead of World Cup travel. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the Houston area is prepared.