In brief
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has kicked off a clinical trial of the Ervebo vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, the one driving a fast‑growing outbreak. With 50,000 doses earmarked for frontline workers and 20,000 for the study, health ministry officials cite the plan as a key reinforcement. The World Health Organization warns the epidemic is spreading across a region larger than France, and nearly 2,500 people have died so far, half of them in the last 20 days. Complications include misdiagnosis of early cases, conflict zones, local mistrust of health workers, and burial customs. The M23 rebel group has imposed travel restrictions to curb spread, adding further complexity to containment efforts.
DR Congo announced today the start of an Ebola vaccine trial using Ervebo against the Bundibugyo strain that is driving the current outbreak.
The Ervebo vaccine was proven to protect against the Zaïre species, but no proven vaccine for Bundibugyo has existed. WHO warns that the outbreak is growing exponentially across large areas – a region now bigger than France – and that health teams in conflict‑hit zones are under strain.
Health workers in Kinshasa will receive 50,000 doses of Ervebo, while 20,000 doses will be allocated to a clinical trial that will assess the vaccine’s effectiveness against Bundibugyo. WHO and the Africa Centre for Disease Control describe it as a vital reinforcement of the response.
Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group has introduced travel restrictions between government‑held and rebel‑held areas of North Kivu province, suspending shared taxis and passenger boats for a month. The measure follows reports that two travellers tested positive for Ebola in a village under M23 control, and is intended to prevent further spread.
The outbreak has cost nearly 2,500 lives so far, with half of the deaths occurring in the last 20 days. The response has been hampered by misdiagnosis of early cases, local distrust of health authorities, and traditional burial practices that facilitate viral spread.
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