At least 15 people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's health ministry has announced.

The ministry added that the virus was confirmed in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago.

She had developed symptoms of Ebola, including high fever and frequent vomiting.

She died a few hours later after multiple organ transplants were needed.

This is the 16th time that an epidemic has struck the mineral-rich Congo, which has been wracked by decades of war and has a weak health system.

The current outbreak is in the Kasai Central region, with 28 suspected cases, the ministry said.

Health officials have strongly urged people to practice social distancing and other preventive measures, including frequent hand washing, in high-risk areas.