Gabon's government wants foreign assistance in containing an outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease.

Minister of Higher Education Andre Berre says the highly contagious disease has already killed 10 people in a week.

The current outbreak affects four villages - Ntolo, Mendemba, Ilahounene and Ekata.

The government is "asking for the assistance of the international community to confront this disturbing situation," Mr Berre said at a news briefing attended by the country's prime minister.

Details of the outbreak remain sketchy. The government says 12 people are confirmed infected, including the 10 who died and one person who is in a critical condition. The World Health Organisation had previously reported 11 people were killed.

A WHO team has arrived in the capital, Libreville, and is expected to travel soon to the affected region in the remote northeastern province of Ogooue Ivindo, near the border with Republic of Congo.

The five-member team - including experts from France and the US - will help local authorities isolate and treat victims, as well as distribute protective equipment like gloves and masks to prevent contact with the bodily fluids of patients.

Gabon's government first reported it suspected an outbreak last Tuesday. The WHO confirmed the disease was Ebola on Sunday.

The death toll could rise as experts get a better idea of the extent of the outbreak.

Tests are still being conducted on those who had come into contact with the victims, provincial health director Dr Prosper Abessolo-Mengue said.

Story filed: 02:26 Wednesday 12th December 2001