Over 4,300 confirmed cases and a mortality rate of 45.9%

The outbreak has resulted in 2,011 fatalities out of 4,381 confirmed cases, as reported by Congolese health authorities. The fatality rate stands at 45.9%. Originating in Ituri Province in the northeast, the virus has since spread to multiple regions, including North Kivu, where ongoing conflict and weak healthcare infrastructure have exacerbated the crisis. This outbreak now rivals the devastating 2018-2020 epidemic, which claimed nearly 2,300 lives.

Testing existing vaccines against the current Ebola variant

The current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo variant, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. The World Health Organization has urged clinical trials of Ervebo, the only Ebola vaccine currently licensed. Given the extensive safety data available, experts propose a direct phase 3 trial, typically conducted on a large scale. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will supply doses from the global Ervebo stockpile, which holds approximately 500,000 doses. The vaccine is manufactured by the U.S.-based company Merck.

Additional vaccine candidates under development

Several other vaccine candidates are also being evaluated against the Bundibugyo variant. Moderna has received approval from Canadian authorities to initiate clinical trials for its vaccine. Two other candidates are being developed by Hilleman Laboratories and the University of Oxford. In response to the escalating crisis, the United States has pledged an additional $242 million to support Ebola containment efforts in the DRC.