Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed 600 lives, while health authorities are investigating two suspected cases in a province that had not previously reported infections, according to the government's latest update.

A report released late Wednesday said the two suspected cases were detected in Kisangani, in Tshopo province, marking the first possible spread of the outbreak to the area. The total number of confirmed Ebola cases across the country has now risen to 1,759.

Health officials said one of the suspected patients had links to the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri province, where the outbreak first began. The second suspected case has no known connection to any previously affected area, prompting further investigation.

Congolese authorities officially declared the latest Ebola outbreak on May 15 after the virus had spread undetected for several weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Last week, researchers launched clinical trials to test potential treatments in hopes of finding an effective way to combat the virus.

Efforts to control the outbreak have been complicated by a shortage of funding, attacks on healthcare facilities and the continuing conflict in eastern Congo, where most cases have been reported.