DR Congo Receives 70,000 Ervebo Vaccine Doses as Scientists Test Protection Against Bundibugyo Ebola

KINSHASA, — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to receive an initial allocation of 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as part of efforts to respond to the ongoing outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The vaccines are being released from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile following a request from the DRC government. Of the initial allocation, 20,000 doses will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial, while the remaining 50,000 doses will be allocated to frontline and healthcare workers.

The move comes as health authorities seek new tools to contain what has become the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the DRC.

Ervebo’s Protection Against Bundibugyo Virus Remains Uncertain

Ervebo is a licensed and WHO-prequalified vaccine used to prevent Ebola virus disease caused by the Ebola virus formerly known as Zaire ebolavirus.

However, the vaccine is not currently licensed specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease, and it remains uncertain whether it can provide effective protection against the Bundibugyo virus in humans.

Early laboratory and animal studies have suggested that Ervebo may provide some degree of cross-protection, prompting researchers and health authorities to investigate its potential role during the current outbreak.

The Phase 3 clinical trial involving 20,000 doses is expected to provide important evidence on the vaccine’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus.

The results could help determine whether a vaccine originally developed against another Ebola virus species could contribute to controlling the current outbreak and potentially inform future public health policy.

50,000 Doses Allocated to Frontline and Healthcare Workers

Alongside the clinical trial, 50,000 doses of Ervebo are being allocated to frontline responders and healthcare workers, in line with current recommendations from WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.

Healthcare professionals working directly with suspected and confirmed Ebola patients face elevated risks of exposure, making protection of frontline personnel a critical component of outbreak response.

WHO and Africa CDC have emphasized that people offered Ervebo during the Bundibugyo outbreak  whether through the clinical trial or other approved channels  should receive clear information about the vaccine’s potential benefits, risks and limitations.

Informed consent is particularly important because the effectiveness of Ervebo against Bundibugyo virus disease has not yet been established in humans.

Clinical Trial Could Provide Critical Evidence

The current outbreak offers researchers an opportunity to evaluate whether Ervebo can provide meaningful protection beyond the Ebola virus species for which it was originally developed.

If the Phase 3 trial demonstrates sufficient protection against Bundibugyo virus disease, the findings could have implications beyond the immediate outbreak.

They could potentially help shape future vaccination strategies for outbreaks caused by less common Ebola virus species and contribute to the development of broader preparedness strategies across Africa.

At present, however, health authorities stress that the use of Ervebo against Bundibugyo virus should be understood within the context of ongoing scientific evaluation rather than as an already proven vaccine for this particular virus.

DRC Faces Its Largest Recorded Ebola Outbreak

The Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak has expanded rapidly across several provinces in the DRC.

According to WHO, the outbreak has become the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country, surpassing the number of confirmed cases reported during the major 2018 - 2020 outbreak.

The outbreak has affected multiple provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo and Bas-Uélé, placing significant pressure on local healthcare systems and frontline response teams.

Ituri Province has remained the epicenter of the outbreak, while continuing transmission and geographic expansion have complicated efforts to contain the disease.

The response is also taking place amid significant humanitarian challenges, including insecurity, population displacement, limited access to healthcare and difficulties reaching affected communities.

Vaccination Is Only One Part of the Ebola Response

While vaccines could become an important additional tool in controlling the outbreak, WHO and Africa CDC have emphasized that vaccination must be accompanied by broader public health measures.

These include early detection of suspected cases, laboratory testing, contact tracing, appropriate clinical care, infection prevention and control, protection of healthcare workers and close engagement with affected communities.

Community trust is particularly important in Ebola outbreaks, as rapid reporting of symptoms, cooperation with contact-tracing teams and timely access to treatment can significantly influence the ability of health authorities to interrupt chains of transmission.

WHO and Africa CDC have reaffirmed their support for the DRC government as the country works to contain the outbreak while simultaneously generating scientific evidence that could strengthen preparedness for future Ebola emergencies.

The deployment and clinical evaluation of the 70,000 Ervebo doses could therefore serve two objectives: providing an additional response tool during the current public health emergency and helping scientists determine whether an existing Ebola vaccine can offer protection against the Bundibugyo virus.

 

Source : Xinhua Thai News