Congo receives more than 16,000 doses of Ebola vaccine as it grapples with unprecedented outbreak

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Congo has received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine as the country battles the quickest Ebola outbreak in history, stated the nation's health minister. The 16,250 doses arrived at N’djili International Airport in the capital, Kinshasa, late Friday, alongside 70,000 doses anticipated from the World Health Organization and partners, revealed on Thursday.

Further doses are expected early next week. The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo is brought on by the uncommon Bundibugyo virus, which currently lacks approved treatment or vaccine. It can spread effortlessly and go unnoticed as some of its symptoms resemble those of other illnesses, like malaria. The Ervebo vaccine, approved for Ebola treatment, has shown effectiveness in prior outbreaks.

The WHO conjectures it might offer partial safeguard against the Bundibugyo virus. The latest outbreak, which has documented 2,516 deaths out of the 5,290 confirmed cases as of Friday, is spreading at an unprecedented pace and is on course to surpass the deadliest outbreak on record, which claimed over 11,000 lives across West Africa from 2014 to 2016.

Data from the Africa Centre for Disease Control indicates that transmission has not yet peaked and could triple its known rate. Containment efforts have been impeded by armed conflict between the government and rebel factions, which control crucial cities in the epicenter; assaults on medical personnel and facilities; a mobile workforce and displaced individuals due to the armed conflict; and a lack of essential infrastructure.

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