DR Congo Receives 70,000 Ervebo Ebola Vaccine Doses Amid Deadly Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the allocation of 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as the country battles its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

Although Ervebo is approved for the Zaire strain of Ebola, the current outbreak involves the less common Bundibugyo strain, for which no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists. The doses are being deployed both for a clinical trial and to protect frontline health workers.

Vaccine Deployment Details

• 20,000 doses will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate Ervebo's effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain.
• 50,000 doses will be administered to health personnel and frontline workers to reduce transmission risks.

This decision follows a request from the DR Congo government amid an outbreak that has recorded over 5,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths since May 2026. The outbreak affects regions with limited state presence and fragile health infrastructure, complicating containment efforts.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the vaccine release as "an important example of global solidarity in action." The vaccine's potential cross-protection against Bundibugyo is supported by early animal data, though comprehensive human trials are underway to confirm efficacy.

Background on the Outbreak

The current Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, declared in mid-May 2026, is the country's 17th. The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes severe hemorrhagic fever. Historically, Ebola has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa over five decades.

WHO experts recently recommended expanding human trials of Ervebo to assess its protective benefits against the Bundibugyo strain, given the urgency of the situation and lack of alternative vaccines.