The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a vaccination campaign in Kasai province to protect health workers and exposed residents as officials move urgently to contain the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak. The campaign marks a critical step in stopping the spread of the deadly virus, which has already claimed several lives.
The Ministry of Public Health declared the outbreak on September 4 after cases were confirmed in Bulape and Mweka health zones. Since then, health authorities, supported by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), have reported at least 68 suspected or confirmed cases and 16 deaths.
Unlike earlier outbreaks that mainly struck eastern Congo, this wave has emerged in the south, where poor infrastructure and limited healthcare access make emergency response efforts more difficult. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, said the agency is working closely with Congo’s health ministry to coordinate the response. He stressed that frontline health workers are a priority and emphasized Africa CDC’s commitment to protecting communities.
To aid the vaccination drive, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have already been deployed to Kasai, with more expected soon. An international coordination group has approved the release of about 45,000 doses, adding to Congo’s small reserve of just 2,000. These reinforcements are considered vital in preventing further spread.
Ebola, first identified in Congo in 1976, remains one of the world’s most lethal viral hemorrhagic fevers. The current outbreak has been linked to the Zaire species of the virus, which historically has caused the majority of cases in the country. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and kills more than half of those it infects.
Regional and global health agencies remain on alert even though no cases have been detected outside Congo. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified the risk of Ebola spreading to the United States as low but has issued a Level 1 travel advisory for Congo.
The outbreak adds pressure to Congo’s already fragile health system, which is burdened by ongoing armed conflict in the east and other crises that stretch limited resources. Health officials warn that quick action and international support will be essential to prevent a wider catastrophe.
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