Ebola outbreak in Congo is far from being under control, says WHO chief

Congo has received 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners. This shipment marks a significant step in the fight against the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which has claimed 2,476 lives out of 5,208 confirmed cases in six eastern provinces.

Despite being licensed for use against the Ebola virus, the Ervebo vaccine is not authorized for treating the Bundibugyo virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak. Nevertheless, early laboratory and animal data suggest that the vaccine may offer some protection against this rare strain, with 20,000 doses allocated for a Phase 3 clinical trial to further assess its efficacy.

The remaining 50,000 doses will be distributed to frontline workers and health personnel as recommended by WHO experts. The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, comprising WHO and other partners, will release the doses immediately upon a request from Congo's government.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the allocation as a testament to global solidarity in addressing the outbreak. He emphasized the agency's ongoing commitment to supporting surveillance, detection, care, community engagement, and vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

The lack of approved treatments for the Bundibugyo virus has posed a significant challenge for responders. Most new cases have emerged beyond the monitoring of individuals, resulting in a rapid spread that has outpaced containment efforts. The case fatality rate stands at 47.5%, but it has reached as high as 70% in some areas, particularly in North Kivu province, where response efforts have been more difficult.