Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo spreads to 2 new health zones with a total of 60 areas now affected

Congo started administering vaccinations against Ebola on Thursday, aiming to combat the fastest-growing outbreak in history. Health authorities are prioritizing frontline health workers and other essential personnel to receive the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective in previous outbreaks caused by a different, more common strain of the virus. Clinical trials are underway to develop a licensed vaccine specifically for the current outbreak, which is particularly deadly.

As of Tuesday, the country had reported 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths associated with the Ebola outbreak. The majority of cases are concentrated in Ituri province, and the epidemic is fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike, and substantial population movements. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak remains uncontrolled and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadliest on record, which claimed over 11,000 lives predominantly in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Congo has received more than 50,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine from the WHO. Of these, about 50,000 are allocated for frontline workers and health personnel, while 20,000 will be utilized in a clinical trial to evaluate the vaccine's effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus, the strain responsible for the current outbreak. Importantly, the vaccine is being employed under a compassionate-use program, allowing its use in serious disease situations despite lacking specific approval for that purpose.

Health authorities believe that Ervebo may offer some protection against the Bundibugyo virus due to its relation to the two viruses. However, the vaccine's ability to prevent illness in those infected with Bundibugyo Ebola is still under investigation. Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Africa CDC's director for research, clinical trials, and innovation, emphasized that data will be collected throughout the vaccination campaign to assess the vaccine's efficacy.

The vaccination campaign is planned to encompass 14 health zones in Tshopo, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele provinces. Health Minister Roger Kamba urged health workers to get vaccinated, highlighting that the vaccine could safeguard them from the disease and prevent them from transmitting the virus within their communities.