CHILILABOMBWE, Zambia, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Zambia have intensified the screening of travelers from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Ebola, a senior official said on Monday.

Health authorities have intensified Ebola screening at the Kasumbalesa border entry in Chililabombwe district in the Copperbelt Province, which is the busiest border entry between the two countries.

Paul Mulenga, the district commissioner of Chililabombwe, said health personnel have set up a screening desk at the border entry due to the outbreak of Ebola in some parts of the DRC.

He said the two countries have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, resulting in the movement of people across the borders of the two countries to conduct business. He added that it was imperative to conduct screening against Ebola because of the huge number of people using the border entry.

The current epidemic has already claimed 461 lives out of the 689 confirmed and 54 probable cases since its second outbreak in August 2018, according to the World Health Organization.