KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive 70,000 Ervebo Ebola vaccine doses as the Bundibugyo outbreak expands. Congolese authorities reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths as of Aug. 18. The outbreak now affects 56 health zones across six provinces in the east and northeast. Authorities also listed 1,115 recoveries, while 730 patients remained in isolation or hospital care.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the release after the government requested doses from the global Ebola stockpile. WHO said 20,000 doses will support a Phase 3 clinical trial focused on Bundibugyo virus disease. The other 50,000 doses will go to frontline and health workers under current vaccination recommendations. WHO and Africa CDC welcomed the allocation, which officials announced on Aug. 20.
Ervebo has a license for outbreaks caused by Ebola virus, formerly known as Zaire ebolavirus. It does not have approval specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO says laboratory and animal evidence suggests possible cross-protection, but protection in humans remains unknown. The clinical trial will measure the vaccine’s effect during the outbreak and add evidence for public health decisions. WHO said recipients should receive information about known risks, potential benefits and current limits.
Outbreak reaches six Congolese provinces
The outbreak began in Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province and Congolese authorities confirmed it in May. Cases have since spread into North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. By Aug. 12, WHO had recorded 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths across 54 health zones. National data released later raised those totals to 5,208 cases, 2,476 deaths and 56 health zones. The latest figures put the case fatality ratio at 47.5%.
WHO has described the epidemic as the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in DR Congo. It has also reported intense transmission across interconnected areas, with continued growth in cases and deaths. Insecurity, population displacement and heavy movement along roads and trade routes have complicated surveillance and patient access. Response teams are expanding treatment capacity, strengthening surveillance, tracing contacts and supporting safe burials. Congolese health authorities have also increased patient care across affected areas.
Vaccine allocation supports response and research
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, committed $7 million to fund shipment of the 70,000 Ervebo doses. It also committed $6 million through its First Response Fund for routine immunization protection and Ebola vaccination preparations. The global Ebola stockpile operates through the International Coordinating Group with support from several partner organizations. WHO, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières are ICG partners. Gavi provides funding for the vaccine stockpile.
DR Congo declared the outbreak on May 15 after laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. Bundibugyo virus disease has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment, making supportive care and early detection central to the response. WHO continues to support surveillance, clinical care, supplies, contact tracing and community engagement in affected provinces. The 70,000-dose allocation adds vaccination and research to those ongoing public health measures.
