Africa CDC expands Ebola vaccine use as Congo outbreak tops 4,000 cases
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Goma: Africa's leading public health body will increase the use of a vaccine developed against the Zaire strain of Ebola as officials battle a fast deteriorating outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite the fact that the current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
The decision comes as the outbreak approaches 4,000 confirmed cases and 1,850 deaths, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, according to government data. The disease has spread to five provinces, and health officials are concerned about potential additional transmission.
Ervebo is a licensed vaccine that protects against the Zaire ebolavirus. There is presently no licensed vaccination specially designed for the Bundibugyo species.
Health officials are also considering using remdesivir as part of the response. The outbreak proved particularly difficult to suppress due to delayed discovery, inadequate contact tracing, insecurity, and vaccination and treatment shortages.
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