Medical staff in Congo receive experimental Ebola vaccine amid outbreak
Frontline health workers in Bunia, Ituri province, were given the Ervebo vaccine as part of a trial to assess protection against the local Ebola strain.
Amid the ongoing Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a test vaccination program began in Bunia, the epicenter of the Ituri province outbreak. Frontline medical staff received the Ervebo vaccine on Saturday as part of a clinical study designed to gauge its efficacy against the Bundibugyo variant, which differs from the Zaire strain for which the vaccine is proven. Nurses and doctors welcomed the shots, emphasizing that immunity for themselves is essential to protect the patients they treat.
The epidemic, officially identified in mid-May, has led to approximately 7,200 reported cases and over 3,600 fatalities, making it the deadliest outbreak in the country's history. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe hemorrhagic symptoms. The World Health Organization continues to monitor the situation closely.
Why it matters
Testing a vaccine against one outlet Ebola strain could curb a deadly outbreak affecting thousands in central Africa.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Ebola toll in DRC climbs to over 5,500 cases as Pope calls for global aid
- Aug 31 The epidemic has spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, increasing the total number of affected zones to 60.
- Sep 1 More than 50,000 vaccine doses arrived for frontline workers.
- Sep 2 Confirmed cases rise to 6,186 and deaths increase to 3,007.
- Sep 13 A case confirmed in South‑Ubangi marked the virus’s spread to a seventh province.
- Sep 17 Confirmed cases have risen to over 7,200 and deaths to more than 3,500 since the outbreak was first declared.
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