Congo-Kinshasa: Ebola in DR Congo - Childhood Deaths Rise - Hopes Raised Over New Vaccine

In the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), more than 300 children have died, according to the United Nations. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed that children constitute nearly a quarter of confirmed cases and almost a third of all deaths. The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has severely disrupted healthcare services, with use dropping by more than 40 percent in affected areas as fear of infection deters people from seeking care.

This fear, coupled with strained health services, is preventing many pregnant women from receiving necessary medical attention, leading to a nearly doubling of maternal deaths in the region. To combat the virus, community workers have been deployed to reach over 2.4 million people with Ebola prevention and early detection information, and 500,000 household visits have been made to counter misinformation.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a single licensed Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, to be tested in a randomized clinical trial for Bundibugyo virus disease, the rare species responsible for the current outbreak. The recommendation stems from preliminary data suggesting the vaccine may provide some level of cross-protection against Bundibugyo virus disease, particularly in preventing fatalities.

WHO convened an expert panel to review Ervebo's safety, efficacy, availability, and feasibility of implementation, concluding that there were no safety concerns for its use in vaccinating contacts of confirmed cases. The advisory group emphasized that a vaccine specifically developed for Bundibugyo virus remains the preferred option, as further efficacy testing is required.