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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been declared an "international public health emergency" by the World Health Organisation.

Ebola is a highly contagious virus causing fever-like symptoms, which can worsen and lead to death. This outbreak in DRC - the second biggest on record - has infected 2,500 people, of which more than 1600 have died.

The city of Goma - with a population of more than a million people - has registered its first case of Ebola and authorities in Uganda are trying to identify people who came into contact with a woman who died from Ebola, after crossing the border back into the DRC.

Dr Olly Illunga is the Health Minister in the Democratic Republic of Congo and tells us he welcomes the WHO's designation of an emergency.

(Photo: A motor taxi driver gets his hands washed at an Ebola screening station. Credit: Getty Images)