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Ebola Epidemic in DR Congo Claims Over 2,000 Lives; Vaccine Trials Considered
🇵🇦 Panama /Health & Science

Ebola Epidemic in DR Congo Claims Over 2,000 Lives; Vaccine Trials Considered

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 2,011 lives among 4,381 confirmed cases, according to recent figures.
  • This outbreak is nearing the severity of the 2018-2020 epidemic, which recorded nearly 2,300 deaths.
  • Health officials are considering clinical trials for an approved Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, due to the lack of a specific vaccine for the current variant.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a severe Ebola epidemic, which has now resulted in over 2,000 fatalities. As of the latest reports, 2,011 deaths have been recorded among 4,381 confirmed cases, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the nation's eastern and northeastern regions.

The current epidemic, which is spreading in conflict-stricken eastern and northeastern regions, is likely to become the largest ever recorded in the world.

— Sania Nishtar, Director General of GaviDescribing the potential scale of the Ebola outbreak.

This current outbreak is rapidly approaching the scale of the devastating 2018-2020 epidemic, which saw approximately 2,300 deaths. The disease continues to spread in areas already destabilized by conflict, complicating containment efforts. The mortality rate for the current outbreak stands at approximately 45.9%, according to Congolese health authorities.

The mortality rate of the current outbreak is calculated at 45.9% by Congolese health authorities.

— Congolese health authoritiesProviding key statistics on the severity of the epidemic.

In response to the escalating situation, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) are recommending the evaluation of an existing Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, in clinical trials. This consideration comes amid a lack of a specific vaccine tailored to the Bundibugyo variant currently circulating in the DRC. Significant data on Ervebo's safety profile suggests it could be a viable option for further testing.

Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Friday evaluating the approved Ebola vaccine in a clinical trial, given the lack of a specific vaccine against the Bundibugyo variant currently affecting the DRC.

— WHO ExpertsExplaining the rationale behind considering clinical trials for an existing vaccine.

Doses of Ervebo, sourced from a global reserve funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are expected to be available to support these trials. This reserve holds around 500,000 doses, with some strategically positioned within the DRC due to the country's recurring Ebola outbreaks. Gavi, established in 2000, plays a crucial role in facilitating access to vaccines for developing nations.

Doses of Ervebo from the global reserve of the Ebola vaccine, created and funded by Gavi, should be available to support clinical trials.

— GaviConfirming the availability of vaccine doses for potential trials.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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