Ebola in DR Congo: Childhood deaths rise; hopes raised over new vaccine

Over 300 children have lost their lives to the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the UN, as health experts advocate for trials of the sole available vaccine to curb the spread of the rare Bundibugyo species. The majority of victims and those affected are children and women, with nearly 80% of the population displaced by conflict in the Ituri province, the most impacted region.

The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has resulted in more than 300 child deaths, making up nearly a quarter of confirmed cases but almost a third of all fatalities, as reported by UNICEF. The Ebola outbreak has also significantly disrupted essential healthcare services, with use dropping by more than 40% in affected areas due to fear of infection.

Pregnant women are particularly at risk, with maternal deaths nearly doubling since the outbreak began, and Ebola infection during pregnancy leading to almost certain fetal loss. To address the crisis, over 13,000 community health workers have been deployed by the Congolese health ministry and partners such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide information on Ebola prevention and early detection through household visits and public awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, a WHO expert panel recommended that a single licensed Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, be evaluated in a randomized clinical trial for Bundibugyo virus disease, based on preliminary data from animal studies suggesting potential cross-protection against the species, particularly in preventing fatalities. Despite promising results, more evidence is needed to confirm the vaccine's efficacy against Bundibugyo virus disease, and a vaccine specifically tailored for this species is still considered the preferred option.