Ebola has spread to two new health zones in eastern Congo as vaccinations begin.
Why it matters: The expansion adds pressure to containment efforts in North Kivu while health workers start a vaccine rollout for a strain where protection is not yet proven. It also raises the stakes for surveillance, coordination and access to care.
- Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu are the two newest affected health zones, bringing the total to 60.
- Congo began vaccinating health workers and other frontline workers on Aug. 27 in Kisangani.
- WHO and Africa CDC said on Aug. 20 that 70,000 Ervebo doses would be released for the DRC outbreak - 20,000 for a Phase 3 clinical trial and 50,000 for frontline and health workers.
- WHO says the outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, and Ervebo's effectiveness against Bundibugyo in humans is not yet known.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to Biena and Manguredjipa, the two newest health zones in North Kivu, bringing the total affected to 60, according to government figures cited by AP on Aug. 28.
The expansion comes as Congo has started vaccinating health workers and other frontline workers with Ervebo. Health Minister Roger Kamba said the rollout began Aug. 27 in Kisangani, AP reported.
WHO and Africa CDC said on Aug. 20 that the International Coordinating Group would release 70,000 doses of Ervebo for the DRC outbreak. The agencies said 20,000 doses were set aside for a Phase 3 clinical trial and 50,000 for frontline and health workers.
The outbreak is being driven by Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO says there is no approved vaccine or treatment for that disease, and that Ervebo is licensed for Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire species, with effectiveness against Bundibugyo in humans still unknown.
WHO has described the response as urgent and community-led in a conflict-affected setting with displacement, high population mobility and limited access to health care. WHO and Africa CDC have also advised against unnecessary travel or trade restrictions and urged stronger surveillance and cross-border coordination.
By the numbers
- 60 - total affected health zones after Biena and Manguredjipa were added.
- 70,000 - Ervebo doses WHO and Africa CDC said would be released for the DRC outbreak.
- 3,973 confirmed cases and 1,801 deaths - cumulative figures cited in the dossier for the outbreak as of the referenced update.
Yes, but: Ervebo is being deployed even though WHO says its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease in humans is not yet known.
What's next: WHO and Africa CDC are expected to continue the vaccination rollout, surveillance and cross-border coordination as the outbreak evolves.