More than 3,000 people have died from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, health authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
According to officials, a total of 6,186 cases have been recorded since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 3,007 deaths.
Currently, 830 people are receiving treatment or remain in isolation, while 1,409 patients have recovered.
The outbreak has resulted in a 48.6% fatality rate, with young children experiencing particularly high mortality rates.
Ebola spreads through direct physical contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids, causing symptoms such as severe fever, diarrhoea, and bleeding.
Health authorities say containing the outbreak has been challenging because it involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment.
Clinical trials for two antiviral treatments have been underway since early July. Authorities are also evaluating whether the Ervebo vaccine, which is approved for the Zaire strain of Ebola, can offer protection against the Bundibugyo strain.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) revealed that 70,000 doses of Ervebo have been made available, with more than 16,000 doses already delivered. Of the available doses, 20,000 have been set aside for a Phase III trial to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain, while 50,000 doses are designated for healthcare workers and other frontline personnel.
The first vaccinations under the trial have already been administered, although experts have yet to confirm whether Ervebo provides protection against Bundibugyo.
However, initial laboratory and animal studies suggest the vaccine could offer some level of protection.
Africa CDC also stated that there is no evidence supporting claims that the Bundibugyo strain has mutated.
The outbreak, the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC, began in the northeastern Ituri Province before spreading to six provinces.
Congo Ebola death toll surpasses 3,000 as outbreak spreads across six provinces