Congo Ebola Vaccination

Congo has started vaccinating people against Ebola to combat the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease in history. The campaign launched Thursday in Kisangani, Tshopo province. Health workers and those in contact with patients are prioritized for the Ervebo vaccine. The outbreak has affected six provinces, with 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths reported by Tuesday. Over 50,000 doses of Ervebo have been received. Although Ervebo is approved for Zaire ebolavirus, it may offer some protection against the Bundibugyo type causing the outbreak. Data will be collected to assess its effectiveness. The campaign covers 14 health zones.

Congo government figures show that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has spread to two new health zones in eastern Congo. A total of 60 zones are now affected. The two new zones affected are Biena and Manguredjipa in Congo’s North Kivu province. The case fatality rate there is much higher than the overall rate of 48% due in part to delayed response efforts. That's according to Congo’s Ministry of Health data posted on Friday. It said the outbreak has recorded 5,794 confirmed cases including 2,786 deaths as it is spreading at an unprecedented speed.