Photo courtesy of Anadolu
The Democratic Republic of Congo received its first shipment of 16,520 Ervebo vaccine doses as authorities intensified efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak that has infected more than 5,000 people.
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said another 50,000 doses were expected by Monday to support the government’s response and protect communities in affected areas.
The World Health Organization said Congo would receive around 70,000 doses from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile for a Phase 3 clinical trial and for use among frontline and health workers.
The trial will assess the vaccine’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain, which is driving the current outbreak.
Ervebo is already approved for Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire ebolavirus strain, but no vaccine or specific treatment has yet been approved for Bundibugyo.
Congo’s Health Ministry said confirmed cases had reached 5,290, with more than 2,500 deaths recorded.
Doctors Without Borders warned that communities still needed stronger support, particularly in training health workers and local leaders on case detection, referrals and infection control.
The outbreak, declared in mid-May, has affected 56 health zones across Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo.