Kinshasa, May 27 : The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) remains at an early stage, but infections and deaths continue to rise, Health Minister Roger Kamba said.

Health authorities have identified around 1,000 suspected cases in affected areas, of which 101 have tested positive, Kamba told a press conference.

Preliminary figures show that about 200 to 220 deaths are believed to be linked to the outbreak, while 17 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing.

"We are still at the beginning of an epidemic," Kamba said, adding that the duration of the current growth phase would depend on the effectiveness of response efforts. The minister said authorities are planning a response operation expected to last four to six months.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which Kamba described as less lethal than the Zaire strain but still dangerous if infections continue to rise. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola.

To contain transmission, authorities are relying on surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, community engagement and safe burials, he said.

On Saturday, the government suspended civilian passenger flights to and from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak, while humanitarian flights remain in operation, Xinhua news agency reported.

Kamba said the virus may have been circulating before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, citing Ebola's incubation period of up to 21 days. He added that health authorities have yet to identify the outbreak's "patient zero."

Earlier on May 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) had said that a confirmed case of Ebola virus disease is recovering in Goma, an eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) city, with work underway to strengthen the response against the outbreak.

Anne Ancia, WHO's acting representative in the DRC had made the remarks during a visit to Goma, currently under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group.

The confirmed patient is receiving treatment at a local hospital with "very positive" condition, while contacts are being "monitored regularly," Ancia had said.

She had noted that current discussions focused on the city's health situation and measures to reinforce surveillance, case management, contact tracing and community engagement in response to the Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain.

/IANS