The World Health Organization (WHO) has started vaccinating frontline health workers and those who have come into contact with confirmed Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province, as a new outbreak is declared.

On Sunday, 14 September, an initial 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine were delivered to Bulape, the epicentre of the outbreak, from a national stockpile of 2 000 doses. To bolster the response, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has authorised the shipment of a further 45 000 doses.

The outbreak, declared on 4 September, is the country’s first since 2022. The health ministry in Kinshasa has so far reported 32 suspected cases, 20 confirmed infections and 16 deaths.

WHO Programme Area Manager, Patrick Otim, recently stressed the urgency of swift action, warning that containing the virus is “possible, but it will be challenging if we miss the window of opportunity.”

He also noted that a confirmed case detected 70 kilometres from Bulape raises the risk of further spread, with Angola specifically vulnerable.

Aid workers have cautioned that reduced international support may hamper efforts, even as the WHO urges stronger backing for the Congolese government’s response.

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