At least 87 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, with health officials warning of active community transmission.

Authorities reported 336 suspected cases and 13 confirmed infections, with the outbreak spreading across the Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia health zones.

Health workers are intensifying screening and contact tracing, but ongoing insecurity caused by militant violence is hampering containment efforts.

Officials confirmed the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a less common variant in Congo, which is experiencing its 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976, the AP has reported.

The suspected first case was a nurse who died in Bunia after showing Ebola-like symptoms several weeks ago.