In brief
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has started using the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as part of a trial aimed at testing its efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain that is now spreading. WHO has warned that infections are growing exponentially across northern and eastern provinces, with the outbreak now covering an area larger than France. Nearly 2,500 deaths have been recorded, a sharp rise over the past 20 days. The trial will use 20,000 doses to evaluate vaccine effectiveness, while 50,000 doses will protect frontline health workers. M23 rebels have limited travel between government and rebel-held areas amid the crisis.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun using the Ervebo vaccine as part of a trial to test its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, the virus behind the current outbreak.
While Ervebo protects against the Zaïre strain, no proven vaccine exists for Bundibugyo. WHO warned that the outbreak is now spreading faster and wider than before, covering an area larger than France.
The death toll has climbed to nearly 2,500, with half of those deaths occurring in the last 20 days, a growth rate experts describe as alarming.
In the trial, 20,000 vaccine doses will be used to assess efficacy, and 50,000 doses will be administered to frontline health workers. The World Health Organization and the Africa Centre for Disease Control see the rollout as a vital reinforcement of the response.
Save the Children reports that at least 180 Congolese children have lost both parents or caregivers in the outbreak, highlighting the crisis’s human toll.
The M23 rebel group controls parts of eastern Kinshasa and has imposed a month-long ban on shared taxis and boats between government and rebel‑held areas, following reports of travellers testing positive for Ebola under its jurisdiction.
The struggle to contain the disease is compounded by territories under conflict, mistrust of health authorities, and traditional burial practices that can spread the virus.
The Bundibugyo strain is one of only two Ebola outbreaks documented before, making its containment especially critical.
