Sign in Subscribe
Epidemics

Democratic Republic of Congo Launches Ebola Vaccination in Mbandaka

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated vaccination efforts against the Ebola virus disease in the city of Mbandaka, following the outbreak of the epidemic which has claimed two lives since April 21. The vaccination campaign utilizes the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, with 200 doses initially shipped to Mbandaka from Goma, and further doses to be delivered over the next few days. The ring strategy is being employed, where contacts of confirmed Ebola patients, along with frontline workers, receive the vaccine. A total of 233 contacts have been identified and are under surveillance, with three vaccination teams on the ground to reach high-risk individuals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched vaccination efforts against Ebola in Mbandaka, utilizing the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine.
  • 200 doses of the vaccine have been shipped to Mbandaka, with further doses to be delivered over the next few days.
  • The ring strategy is being employed to vaccinate contacts of confirmed Ebola patients and frontline workers.
  • A total of 233 contacts have been identified and are under surveillance.
  • Three vaccination teams are working on the ground to reach high-risk individuals.
  • The outbreak has claimed only two lives since April 21, with the disease currently reported only in the health district of Mbandaka.
  • The country's National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) has conducted an analysis of the first confirmed case, indicating a parallel incident of the host virus or animal reservoir.
  • Investigations are underway to determine the source of the new outbreak and how it may have infected the first confirmed case.
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its 14th Ebola outbreak since 1976, including six since 2018 alone.

Statistics:

  • 200 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine have been shipped to Mbandaka.
  • 233 contacts have been identified and are under surveillance.
  • Three vaccination teams are working on the ground to reach high-risk individuals.
  • The outbreak has claimed two lives since April 21.
  • The disease is currently reported only in the health district of Mbandaka.
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced 14 Ebola outbreaks since 1976.
  • Six Ebola outbreaks have occurred in the country since 2018.

Sources:

  • WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB)
  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com

Read more