Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo Surpasses 6,000 Cases

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Monday that an Ebola outbreak has exceeded 6,000 confirmed cases and resulted in 2,911 deaths. Since the outbreak was declared in mid May, 1,366 people have recovered. The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The virus has spread across six provinces in the north and east of the country, including Ituri province.

Response efforts are facing significant challenges. Both reports highlight that insecurity and the presence of armed groups in the region hinder health operations. One report notes that an Ebola response team was recently attacked by armed youth in Ituri province. Additionally, the response is complicated by community distrust and the precarious conditions of displaced populations. While the center left source emphasizes that the response is underfunded and mentions a UN appeal for 1.1 billion dollars, the center right source focuses on the operational dangers and the impact of a health workers strike.

To combat the spread, the World Health Organization has recommended a phase 3 clinical trial using Ervebo, a vaccine previously approved for the Zaire strain of Ebola. A shipment of 16,250 doses of Ervebo arrived on August 22 and vaccination for front line workers began last Thursday in Kisangani. While the outbreak has spread extensively within the DRC, neighboring Uganda recently declared itself free of the virus.