The World Health Organization says more medical supplies are arriving in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to support efforts against the Ebola outbreak.

A WHO official said the supplies include protective equipment for health workers and materials needed for testing and monitoring possible infections. The shipment arrived as health teams continue work in affected parts of Ituri province.

WHO representative Anne Ancia said the organisation had already sent several tons of supplies to the country, with more arriving to support frontline workers handling Ebola cases.

She said health officials were increasing surveillance, testing and contact tracing as they try to understand the full spread of the outbreak.

Authorities and aid workers are also focusing on protecting medical staff and improving the response in communities where infections have been reported.

Ademide Adebayo