Brazil authorities investigate two possible Ebola cases as outbreak grows

Health agencies are intensifying efforts to get on top of a growing Ebola outbreak in central Africa. (Reuters: Gradel Muyisa Mumbere)

Authorities in Brazil say they are treating two patients as suspected Ebola infections, as the number of cases in central Africa continues to rise.

The possible cases in South America are fuelling further fears that infections may be managing to escape from the region.

The World Health Organization says the true reach of the outbreak, which was likely underway well before it was first detected, is likely to be much wider than the official figures show.

Brazilian health authorities are monitoring two patients for possible Ebola infection in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, officials say, sparking further concern of the deadly virus outbreak in central Africa spreading abroad.

A 37-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the outbreak has been concentrated, "exhibited symptoms such as fever, meeting the definition of a suspected case" of Ebola, the Sao Paulo state government said in a statement on Saturday.

While initial tests did not detect the Ebola virus in the patient, he is being monitored and isolated as a precautionary measure at a specialised infectious disease facility, the statement said.

The health department in Rio de Janeiro state, meanwhile, reported that it had activated safety protocols after a man from Uganda showed "viral symptoms such as cough, chills, and diarrhoea".

The Rio city government said in an email to AFP that the patient tested positive for malaria on Saturday evening and "the case remains under investigation".

It comes as health facilities in some of the worst-hit regions are attacked amid ongoing violence.

There have been more than 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola in the DRC since the outbreak was declared on May 15, including nearly 250 deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

Several infections and one death have been confirmed in neighbouring Uganda.

However, the true reach of the outbreak in the DRC, which is thought to have been circulating before it was detected, is likely to be much wider, the World Health Organization has warned.

The Sao Paulo government said that despite the suspected case, "the technical assessment indicates that the risk of the disease being introduced into Brazil and South America remains very low".

Five patients have recovered from a rare type of Ebola virus, the head of the World Health Organization said during a visit to Bunia in eastern Congo.

“Four people will be discharged today and