Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have launched mass vaccinations in response to a rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in Kasai province, where cases have more than doubled in just a week. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the Zaire ebolavirus, the most virulent strain of the disease, is responsible for the crisis. The outbreak, declared earlier this month, has already caused at least 16 deaths, including four healthcare workers, and prompted lockdowns in several communities.
- Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have launched mass vaccinations with the Ervebo shot in Kasai province, where Ebola cases surged from 28 to 68 in one week, leaving at least 16 dead.
- An initial 400 vaccine doses have been deployed in Bulape, with another 45,000 approved for release; antibody drug treatments like Ebanga (Mab114) are also being distributed to treatment centers.
- Residents in outbreak zones face lockdowns and travel checkpoints as local officials attempt to contain the spread of the deadly Zaire ebolavirus, which can kill up to 90% of patients without treatment.
- The outbreak, the DRC’s 16th since 1976, highlights Ebola’s ongoing threat, with WHO officials warning of parallels to past deadly epidemics, including the 2014–2016 West Africa crisis that killed over 11,000.
Local officials describe the situation as a growing emergency. François Mingambengele, administrator of the Mweka territory that includes Bulape, called it “a crisis” as the number of infections continues to rise. Authorities have set up checkpoints around Kasai province to restrict travel and placed some residents under confinement in an effort to halt further transmission.
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