Efforts to contain Ebola outbreak intensify as cases surpass 10,000

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and international partners are intensifying efforts to contain the current Ebola outbreak, as confirmed cases have surpassed 10,000.

Government data released on Tuesday put the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the DR Congo at 10,060, with 4,887 deaths. The outbreak has become the largest and deadliest ever recorded in the country and the second-largest globally, after the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic.

More than 80 percent of new Ebola cases are being detected among people who were not previously listed as contacts, highlighting gaps in surveillance and the difficulty of tracing transmission chains, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Against this backdrop, the launch of a clinical trial in eastern DR Congo offers a potential step toward developing a vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus, the strain responsible for the latest outbreak.

However, health officials warn that containing the spread will also require stronger surveillance, greater community engagement and safe access for front-line workers.

The Phase 2/3 Tumaini trial began in Bunia, Ituri Province, with the first participants vaccinated on Friday. The trial will assess the safety, immune responses and effectiveness of candidate vaccines, with an emphasis on vaccinating people who have been in contact with confirmed cases.

"The launch of the Tumaini trial marks a critical step toward establishing whether candidate vaccines can effectively protect people against the Bundibugyo virus," said Chikwe Ihekweazu, executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme.

The first candidate vaccine being evaluated is Ervebo, which is approved for protection against the Zaire Ebola virus. Its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain has not been established.

Two additional candidates specifically developed for Bundibugyo — from United States pharmaceutical company Moderna and the University of Oxford in partnership with the Serum Institute of India — are also expected to join the trial.

Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, said the trial would generate important scientific evidence on candidate vaccines while supporting the response to the current outbreak and preparedness for future epidemics.

He emphasized the importance of scientific rigor, transparency, ethical standards, informed consent and community engagement.

Children at risk

The outbreak has also placed children at particular risk. Data from the joint WHO and Africa CDC response team show that 2,705 confirmed cases have been recorded among children aged 17 and younger, including 1,345 children under 5.

The case fatality rate among children under 5 stands at 72 percent, Save the Children said on Tuesday. More than 1,900 children have been orphaned or separated from one or both parents or caregivers.

"Children are facing risks beyond infection, including family separation, disrupted education and reduced access to essential services," said Greg Ramm, the NGO's country director in the DR Congo.

Meanwhile, gaps in surveillance and contact tracing continue to complicate efforts to interrupt transmission. Contact follow-up in the DR Congo stood at 81.6 percent in the latest national update, raising concerns about infections emerging outside known transmission chains.

The WHO reported expanded testing and treatment capacity, but underscored the need to maintain control measures, strengthen community outreach and ensure response teams can safely reach affected areas.

The outbreak has heightened concerns across the region, prompting neighboring countries to reinforce monitoring and preparedness measures.

Uganda's Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said citizens returning from the DR Congo must undergo 21 days of quarantine at their own expense. Uganda had reported 20 cases and two deaths during its outbreak over the summer.

Nigeria has also strengthened airport screening after an Ebola case was identified in a woman who had traveled to Uganda. The patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland for treatment.