The Democratic Republic of Congo is dealing with the largest Ebola outbreak in its history, with more than 5,200 cases and nearly 2,500 deaths reported so far. The epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate, with half of the deaths occurring in just the past 20 days, according to the senior coordinator for the Ebola response. Julien Harneis, who is leading the response from Geneva, said the outbreak is growing exponentially and spreading widely across the country. The virus has affected 56 health zones in six provinces, including Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo. The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, but health officials believe it had already been spreading for several weeks before detection. The situation has been made worse by years of conflict in eastern Congo, where armed groups operate and state authority is weak. Health infrastructure remains severely limited, making it harder to respond effectively to the outbreak.
The World Health Organization said that 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been sent to Congo to help protect communities, according to dailysabah.com. Ervebo was developed to target the Zaire Ebola virus behind the 2014 West African epidemic, according to a report from africanews.com. It is not yet known whether this vaccine will work against the Bundibugyo virus that is currently spreading in Congo. However, early animal studies suggest that Ervebo may offer some protection against the Bundibugyo strain, but it remains unknown whether Ervebo protects humans against Bundibugyo Ebola. WHO vaccine experts have recommended a full-scale human trial to determine if Ervebo can protect against the Bundibugyo strain.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the distribution of these doses after the DRC government requested access to the global stockpile, openaccessgovernment.org reported. Of the 70,000 doses, 50,000 are meant for frontline health workers and 20,000 will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The trial is designed to assess whether Ervebo can effectively protect against the Bundibugyo virus. Laboratory and animal research has shown early signs that the vaccine may offer some level of protection. But human studies are still needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness against this specific strain.
The WHO and Africa CDC have supported the DRC government’s efforts and encouraged a community-led approach to controlling the outbreak. Health workers are also facing significant risks in their efforts to fight the virus. At least 160 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola since the outbreak began, with 43 dying from the disease. Frontline personnel and ambulances have also come under attack, complicating efforts to deliver medical supplies and care. Harneis described the conditions for responders as brutal, citing insecurity and a breakdown in basic services. Even paying workers has become difficult due to Congo’s weak banking system. International funding cuts have reduced the capacity of aid organizations by about a third.
The United Nations is working with Congolese authorities to intensify efforts around five key areas including expanding safe-care capacity and strengthening community engagement. A new initiative called the ‘Congo River Without Ebola’ has been launched to improve surveillance along the Congo River, a major transportation route. This program aims to strengthen preparedness and prevent further spread by linking communities and markets across several provinces.
Despite the challenges, Harneis said that with more staff and resources, the outbreak could be slowed within months. Without additional support, he warned, the epidemic could become even deadlier and spread into neighboring countries. Uganda, which had recorded 20 cases and two deaths, declared itself free of the virus last month.
IMAGE: Caption: Bunia, Ituri, DRC – MONUSCO peacekeepers from Bangladesh and Nepal are currently carrying out long-distance patrols on the Bunia-Shari Road section with a view to establishing a protective environment and ensuring more effective protection of civilians in the northwestern part of the provincial city of Ituri. Photo MONUSCO / Force. Photo: MONUSCO Photos / Wikimedia, taken 2021-11-04, CC BY-SA 2.0