Angola has imposed travel restrictions on people who have visited an area hit hard by an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus.

Angola's deputy health minister, Jose Van Dunem, says anyone who has visited northern Uige province will not be allowed to leave the country for 21 days.

He said the measure is necessary to stop the spread of the Marburg virus to neighboring countries.

Health officials say the disease has killed at least 117 people, mostly children. All of those who died contracted the disease in Uige. Two deaths took place in Angola's capital, Luanda.

Several neighboring countries have put their health workers on alert for people showing symptoms of the disease.

Marburg virus, similar to the deadly Ebola virus, causes high fever, vomiting, and bloody discharges.