Congo Begins Ebola Vaccinations as Outbreak Spreads

2026, September 20

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo began vaccinating frontline health workers in Bunia, the epicentre of its worst Ebola outbreak. Authorities are using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use programme while clinical trials assess whether it offers protection against the Bundibugyo strain, for which no licensed vaccine or treatment currently exists.

The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak remains far from contained. Cases have surpassed 7,000 and deaths have exceeded 3,500, with weekly infections rising sharply in North Kivu even as transmission declines in parts of Ituri.