Vaccination Drive Underway Against Fresh Ebola Outbreak in Southern Congo
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Health workers in southern Congo have begun vaccinations against Ebola after 31 deaths were reported, with WHO rushing tens of thousands of doses to contain the outbreak. IMAGE: UNSPLASH
WHO confirms 31 deaths as emergency teams rush doses to Bulape in Kasai region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that 31 of 38 Ebola cases in southern Congo have resulted in deaths, as the country battles a fresh outbreak of the deadly virus.
The fatality rate has nearly doubled from 16 last week, highlighting the speed at which the disease is spreading. Health officials say more than 900 contacts have been identified so far.
Vaccination Campaign Begins
Authorities launched a vaccination drive on Sunday in the affected region.
“More than 500 health care workers and contacts have received their vaccination, offering them crucial protection,” said Dr. Patrick Otim, from WHO Africa’s program.
So far, 760 doses have been delivered to Bulape, the locality at the epicenter of the outbreak. An additional 45,000 doses are expected to arrive soon in Kinshasa to reinforce the campaign.
Outbreak Declared in Kasai Region
The Congolese government announced the outbreak on September 5 in Bulape, Kasai, a south-central region bordering Angola.
Last week, the Africa CDC reported that the virus had spread from two districts to four, increasing fears of wider transmission.
Logistical Challenges
Delivering vaccines has proven difficult due to limited storage capacity and hard-to-reach terrain. As a result, doses are being flown into Bulape in small batches.
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According to WHO, a new batch of vaccines approved by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision is expected to start arriving between Friday and Sunday.
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