KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has obtained a distribution of 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses as its Bundibugyo outbreak continues to expand. According to health officials, as of Aug. 18, there have been 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 fatalities. The epidemic now affects 56 health zones across six different provinces. Additionally, authorities have documented 1,115 recoveries. Meanwhile, 730 patients remain under isolation or receiving hospital treatment as response teams operate in affected communities in eastern and northeastern DR Congo.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision granted approval for the release following a request from the Congolese government. WHO announced that 20,000 Ervebo doses will be utilized in a Phase 3 clinical trial focusing on Bundibugyo virus disease. An additional 50,000 doses are designated to safeguard frontline and healthcare personnel under existing vaccination protocols. Both WHO and Africa CDC welcomed the allocation on Aug. 20. These doses originate from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, which is designated for emergency responses when outbreaks demand swift vaccine access.
Ervebo is authorized for diseases caused by the Ebola virus, formerly known as Zaire ebolavirus. However, it does not have specific approval for Bundibugyo virus disease. Laboratory and animal studies suggest potential cross-protection, but confirmation in humans remains pending. The upcoming clinical trial aims to gather evidence during the ongoing outbreak, assessing the vaccine’s performance against Bundibugyo virus disease under controlled conditions. It is also necessary for health officials to communicate known risks, potential benefits, and the limitations of existing evidence to those receiving the vaccine.
Six provinces now affected by the outbreak
The outbreak initially emerged in Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province, where authorities confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease in May. Cases subsequently appeared in North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. By Aug. 12, WHO recorded 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths across 54 health zones. Following this, the official figures increased to 5,208 cases and 2,476 deaths, with the affected zones rising to 56, indicating ongoing transmission across several interconnected regions.
This represents DR Congo’s most extensive Ebola outbreak on record. WHO characterized the transmission as intense, with new infections still arising in multiple provinces. Security challenges, displacement, and frequent population movement have hampered efforts to monitor and access care. Attacks on health facilities have also disrupted response activities in certain areas. Efforts to trace contacts, identify new cases, expand treatment capacity, and conduct safe burials are ongoing. Additionally, Congolese authorities are enhancing clinical care and surveillance while supporting response teams operating within the six affected provinces.
Funding supports vaccine distribution and outbreak containment
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, allocated $7 million to facilitate the shipment of the 70,000 Ervebo doses to DR Congo. The organization also pledged an additional $6 million via its First Response Fund. This funding aims to sustain routine immunization programs and bolster preparations for Ebola vaccination campaigns. The International Coordinating Group manages emergency vaccine allocations with backing from partner agencies. WHO, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières are actively involved in this mechanism.
DR Congo declared the outbreak on May 15 after laboratory confirmation identified Bundibugyo virus disease. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment for this strain. Supportive medical care, early detection, and rapid isolation remain essential components of the response. WHO continues providing assistance with surveillance, clinical management, supplies, contact tracing, and community engagement. The 70,000-dose allocation includes a vaccination component targeting health workers and a clinical research program to evaluate Ervebo’s efficacy against Bundibugyo virus disease.