Congo receives more than 16,000 doses of Ebola vaccine as it grapples with unprecedented outbreak
Summary
Congo has received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine as it battles the fastest Ebola outbreak in history. The outbreak has killed 2,557 people across six provinces and is being worsened by armed conflict, attacks on health workers and weak infrastructure.
Key Points
- Congo received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo vaccine at N'djili International Airport in Kinshasa, with 70,000 doses expected in total.
- The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine, though Ervebo may offer some protection.
- The outbreak has recorded 2,557 deaths out of 5,375 confirmed cases across six affected provinces.
- Containment efforts are being hampered by armed conflict, attacks on medical personnel, population displacement and poor infrastructure.
