Ebola vaccination begins in southern Congo
[September 15, 2025]
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Vaccination for those exposed to the Ebola virus
and front-line health workers has begun in southern Kasai province, the
World Health Organization said Sunday.
An outbreak of the highly contagious disease was announced earlier this
month in the locality of Bulape, in Kasai, and has left at least 16 dead
and 68 suspected cases, according to last week’s briefing by the Africa
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Only an initial 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been dispatched,
with the rest to be delivered later, the WHO said. The operation has
been hampered by limited access and scarce funds.
The vaccination is expected to pick up later as the International
Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved roughly 45,000
additional vaccines, the WHO said, adding to an initial stockpile of
2,000 doses was already in the country.
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 The latest Ebola outbreak is Congo's
16th since 1976, and it is caused by the Zaire species, named after
the country's former name. It adds another layer of worry for the
central African country that is battling a multi-pronged conflict
with rebel groups, especially in the eastern region of the country,
where violence has decimated the health system.
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