DR Congo Begins Ebola Vaccinations in Kisangani as Outbreak Passes 5,600 Cases

The Democratic Republic of Congo has commenced its Ebola vaccination campaign in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, as its worst-ever outbreak of the virus continues. Health Minister Roger Kamba personally inoculated health care workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for the more common Zaire strain. Jérôme Bonui Boliaka, head of the Kisangani Nurses’ Association, emphasized the importance of the vaccine, stating that it helps build antibodies and creates a reserve of protection.

However, the strain causing this outbreak, Bundibugyo, is rarer and no vaccine or treatment is approved specifically for it. The Ervebo vaccine may offer partial protection against Bundibugyo, based on early laboratory and animal studies. Of the 70,000 doses Congo is receiving, 50,000 will be allocated to frontline workers and health personnel, while 20,000 will participate in a late-stage clinical trial to determine its efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are monitoring the situation closely as the outbreak has already claimed over 5,600 confirmed cases and more than 2,700 deaths, with the WHO's own count reaching 5,815 confirmed cases and 2,788 deaths as of August 26. The outbreak began on May 15 in Mongbwalu, and has since spread to six provinces, including Tshopo.

Confronted with misinformation and violence, the response has been hampered by conflict, with at least a dozen attacks on health facilities and workers reported. The Congolese army is also engaged in fighting several rebel groups, further complicating contact tracing efforts.