Current outbreak surpasses 4,300 confirmed cases

The Ebola virus has now infected 4,381 people across the country, with a mortality rate of 45.9%. Originating in Ituri province, the outbreak has since extended into North Kivu and other unstable regions where violence has devastated critical infrastructure. This tragic milestone brings the crisis closer to the devastating 2018–2020 epidemic, which previously held the record for the deadliest Ebola outbreak in DRC history.

New vaccine strategies under evaluation

Health experts are responding to the crisis by exploring innovative immunization approaches. The current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine exists. However, the World Health Organization has authorized the testing of Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, in a phase 3 clinical trial. This accelerated approach leverages decades of safety data to expedite immunization efforts. The Gavi vaccine alliance will supply doses from the global Ervebo stockpile, currently holding approximately 500,000 vaccines, which are manufactured by the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company Merck.

Additional vaccine candidates in development

Beyond Ervebo, several other vaccine candidates are advancing through clinical trials. Moderna, supported by Canadian health authorities, has initiated human testing for its Ebola vaccine. Additional research is underway at Hilleman Laboratories and the University of Oxford. In response to the escalating crisis, the United States has pledged more than $242 million in emergency funding to strengthen Ebola response efforts in DRC.