KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has secured an allocation of 70,000 Ebola vaccine doses amid the expanding Bundibugyo outbreak. As of Aug. 18, health authorities reported 5,208 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths. The epidemic now affects 56 health zones across six provinces. Additionally, officials have recorded 1,115 recoveries. Currently, 730 patients remain in isolation or hospital care, as response teams work across 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 Ervebo doses will support a Phase 3 clinical trial involving Bundibugyo virus disease. An additional 50,000 doses are designated to protect frontline and health workers under existing vaccination guidelines. On Aug. 20, WHO and Africa CDC welcomed this allocation. The doses originate from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, which provides emergency support when countries face outbreaks that require rapid vaccine access.
Ervebo has approval for diseases caused by Ebola virus, previously called Zaire ebolavirus. It does not have specific approval for Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO states that laboratory and animal studies suggest potential cross-protection, but protection in humans has not yet been confirmed. The planned clinical trial aims to gather evidence during the ongoing outbreak. Researchers will evaluate how well the vaccine performs against Bundibugyo virus disease under controlled conditions. It is also crucial for health officials to communicate known risks, potential benefits, and the limitations of current evidence to those receiving the vaccine.
Outbreak spreads across six provinces
The epidemic initially emerged in Mongbwalu health zone, located in Ituri Province, where authorities confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease in May. Subsequently, cases appeared in North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. WHO reported 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths across 54 health zones by Aug. 12. Later, national figures increased these totals to 5,208 cases and 2,476 deaths. The number of affected health zones also rose to 56, indicating ongoing transmission in several connected areas.
This marks the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in DR Congo. WHO describes the transmission as intense, with new infections continuing across multiple provinces. Challenges such as insecurity, displacement, and frequent population movement have hindered surveillance and access to healthcare. Attacks on health facilities have further complicated response efforts in certain regions. Nevertheless, health teams persist in contact tracing, case identification, expanding treatment capacity, and organizing safe burials. The Congolese government is also strengthening clinical care and surveillance measures while supporting response teams working in the six affected provinces.
Funding supports 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 also be directed towards this effort. This funding aims to safeguard routine immunization services and support preparations for Ebola vaccination activities. The International Coordinating Group manages emergency vaccine allocations with backing from partner organizations. Participants include WHO, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Médecins Sans Frontières.
The outbreak was declared by Congolese authorities on May 15 after laboratory tests confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease. Since there is no licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment for this strain, supportive care, early detection, and rapid isolation remain key components of the response. WHO continues to assist with surveillance, clinical management, supplies, contact tracing, and community engagement. The allocation of 70,000 doses adds a vaccination component primarily for health workers and includes a clinical research program to assess Ervebo’s effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease.