The first Ebola outbreak since the crisis in West Africa that killed 11,300 people has been declared in northeast DRC, the World Health Organization said Friday, after the virus caused three deaths in the area.
In a television address, Health Minister Oly Ilunga confirmed the cases while urging the population "not to panic".
The country "has taken all necessary measures to respond quickly and efficiently to this new outbreak", he said.
The DR Congo outbreak is the first there in three years. The three deaths all occurred since April 22.
The WHO said it was working closely with DR Congo authorities to help deploy health workers and protective equipment in the remote area, which is difficult for teams to access, in order to "rapidly control the outbreak".
The WHO said specialist teams were headed for the area and hoped to arrive within 48 hours.
The organisation underlined the importance of tracing people who had contact with confirmed victims to prevent the disease spreading.
Sufferers are advised to keep themselves isolated while awaiting treatment for a disease whose incubation period is 21 days.
