The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to begin a targeted vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo this weekend in response to a recent Ebola outbreak, aimed at containing the spread of the deadly virus.
Patrick Otim, WHO’s local operations head, reported that an initial batch of 400 vaccine doses has already been transported by helicopter to the remote Bulape region in Kasaï province, where a new confirmed case was detected about 70 kilometres from the original outbreak zone. This raises concerns about a broader transmission of the highly fatal disease.
Aid teams on the ground have identified hundreds of contacts of confirmed Ebola patients, who will be prioritized for vaccination. The outbreak, first reported in early September, has so far resulted in 25 confirmed cases, with 14 fatalities, including three children under five.
Authorities have also documented dozens of suspected cases, although WHO only reports laboratory-confirmed figures.
Cold storage remains a challenge in the region due to unreliable electricity. Otim confirmed that special cooling boxes are currently maintaining the vaccines at the required low temperatures, and an additional 1,500 doses will be flown in once a stable cooling system is established on site.
Ebola, transmitted through physical contact or exposure to infected body fluids, causes high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bleeding. Without prompt treatment, the disease has an extremely high mortality rate, making rapid response efforts critical.
WHO officials emphasized that early vaccination of contacts and timely medical intervention are essential to controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread in the affected communities.
About the Author
