Ebola death toll tops 500 in eastern Congo

The Ebola death toll continues to rise in eastern Congo.

A health worker outside an isolation ward to diagnose and treat suspected Ebola patients. Source: AAP

The death toll from the Ebola virus in Congo has passed 500, the ministry of health says.

Since the outbreak started in eastern Congo, 505 people have died and 806 cases have been recorded, the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

A health worker put on his personal protective equipment before entering a "red zone". Source: AAP

The outbreak of the deadly virus began shortly after the country's government in June declared an end to another outbreak in the west of the country.

Authorities and aid groups have been battling to do their jobs in the dangerous eastern region where numerous militia groups operate, most fighting over the central African country's rich natural resources.

More than 77,000 people have been vaccinated against the virus since August, according to the health ministry.

Ebola is a highly infectious disease that causes a fever and often leads to massive internal bleeding and death.