DR Congo Kicks Off Urgent Ebola Vaccination as Outbreak Spreads

(MENAFN) Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have initiated the administration of Ebola vaccines in Kasai Province following an official outbreak announcement, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported Sunday.

Vaccination efforts began in the Bulape health zone, identified as a key hotspot of the outbreak. An initial shipment of 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, sourced from a Kinshasa stockpile, was delivered to the region, with additional supplies expected shortly, according to a WHO statement.

Authorities are employing a ring vaccination approach, focusing on individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases and frontline health workers.

The Ervebo vaccine specifically targets the Zaire ebolavirus strain, the identified culprit behind this outbreak. To ensure adequate vaccine availability, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has authorized sending approximately 45,000 more doses to the DRC.

The WHO has deployed 48 experts to bolster efforts in surveillance, clinical treatment, infection control, and logistical support. Additionally, courses of Mab114, a monoclonal antibody treatment, have been dispatched to Bulape.

The organization has evaluated the risk as high within the country, moderate in the surrounding region, and low on a global scale.

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