Angola’s killer Marburg epidemic has claimed nine more victims this week bringing the death toll to 126, the country’s health ministry and World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday.

A laboratory would be set up in northern Uige province, the centre of the outbreak, to help diagnose new cases of the virus, for which there is no specific cure, the two said in a statement.

A second laboratory was also being set up in the coastal capital Luanda.

All cases of the deadly hemorrhagic fever - which is in the same family as Ebola virus - have so far originated from Uige but the authorities have expressed fears it could spread to other parts of the country, including the capital.

“Unfortunately the number of cases is still continuing to rise but we’re hopeful the situation is going to start improving,” said health ministry spokesman Carlos Alberto.

“Our main concern right now is trying to procure more material help, more protective clothing for those working in hospitals,” he told Reuters.

The outbreak’s victims have included an Italian doctor who was treating people with the virus, underscoring its dangerous and highly contagious nature.

The mortality rate is frightening with only six survivors so far out of the outbreak’s 132 recorded cases - and some of them may yet succumb.

Marburg is characterized by headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by blood, and is spread through bodily fluids including saliva and perspiration. Most of the victims are children.