WHO says Ebola vaccine trial underway in DRC's Ituri province

The World Health Organisation says an Ebola vaccine trial is underway in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with frontline health workers and other people involved in the response taking part. WHO said on Monday that 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been allocated for the research vaccination programme in Ituri province.

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The agency said the trial is aimed at improving understanding of how effective the vaccine is against Ebola Bundibugyo virus and at protecting individuals most exposed to it. WHO identified Ervebo as the only Ebola vaccine licensed for use during outbreaks caused by Bundibugyo virus.

In support of DRC authorities, WHO said it is strengthening surveillance of Ebola infection and transmission, conducting contact tracing, boosting clinical preparedness and management, and ensuring delivery of supplies. The agency also said it is supporting community engagement and cross-border preparedness, stressing that community engagement will be key to bringing outbreaks under control.

Latest health authority data cited by WHO shows more than 7,600 confirmed cases of infection and over 3,670 deaths, with nearly eight in 10 infections recorded in Ituri.

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