KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently battling its largest Ebola outbreak to date, with the situation escalating across multiple provinces. As part of its response, the country has obtained an allocation of 70,000 Ebola vaccine. According to health authorities, confirmed cases reached 5,208, with 2,476 fatalities reported as of Aug. 18. The epidemic extends over 56 health zones in six provinces. Additionally, officials have documented 1,115 recoveries, while 730 patients remain hospitalized or in isolation, with response teams actively working in affected communities in eastern and northeastern DR Congo.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the release following a request from the Congolese government. WHO announced that 20,000 doses of Ervebo will be utilized in a Phase 3 clinical trial targeting Bundibugyo virus disease. The remaining 50,000 doses are designated to protect frontline healthcare workers according to current vaccination guidelines. On Aug. 20, WHO and Africa CDC expressed support for this allocation. The vaccines come from the global Ebola stockpile, which is maintained to facilitate emergency responses when outbreaks demand rapid vaccine deployment.
Ervebo is authorized for preventing diseases caused by Ebola virus, previously known as Zaire ebolavirus. However, it does not have specific approval for Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO indicates that laboratory and animal studies suggest possible cross-protection, but evidence of efficacy in humans remains unconfirmed. The upcoming clinical trial aims to gather data during the ongoing outbreak, assessing how well the vaccine performs against Bundibugyo virus disease in controlled conditions. Health officials are also tasked with informing recipients about known risks, potential benefits, and the limitations of existing evidence.
Transmission expands across six provinces
The initial case was identified in Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province, where Bundibugyo virus disease was confirmed in May. Subsequently, infections emerged in North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. As of Aug. 12, WHO reported 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths across 54 health zones. Later updates increased the counts to 5,208 cases and 2,476 fatalities, with the number of affected zones rising to 56, indicating ongoing spread across connected regions.
This marks DR Congo’s most extensive Ebola outbreak recorded so far. WHO describes the transmission as intense, with new cases continuing in multiple provinces. Difficulties in surveillance and accessing care are compounded by insecurity, displacement, and frequent population movements. Additionally, attacks on health facilities have hindered response efforts in some areas. Teams are actively tracing contacts, diagnosing new cases, scaling up treatment facilities, and organizing safe burials. Authorities are also bolstering clinical care, surveillance, and community engagement efforts while supporting response teams operating in the six affected provinces.
Financial support enables vaccine distribution and outbreak management
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, allocated $7 million to facilitate the shipment of the 70,000 Ervebo doses to DR Congo. An additional $6 million from its First Response Fund will support maintaining routine immunization programs and preparing for Ebola vaccination campaigns. The International Coordinating Group manages emergency vaccine distributions with backing from partner organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières.
The outbreak was officially declared by Congolese authorities on May 15 following laboratory confirmation of Bundibugyo virus disease. As no licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment exists for this strain, supportive care, early detection, and rapid isolation are central to managing the outbreak. WHO continues to assist with surveillance, clinical management, supply distribution, contact tracing, and community outreach. The 70,000-dose allocation also supports vaccination of healthcare workers and a clinical research initiative to evaluate Ervebo’s effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease.