The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing for a significant overhaul of its approach to manage the largest Ebola outbreak in the country, as the number of new cases keeps increasing.
The authorities are set to provide free healthcare in the eastern regions impacted by Ebola, test experimental vaccines for the Bundibugyo variant of the virus, and implement a village-centric response model to mitigate the disease’s transmission, per a statement from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention released on Thursday.
These actions were decided in a meeting chaired by President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, after a joint mission from the World Health Organization and Africa CDC to Uganda and eastern Congo. The two organizations determined that the current response from local authorities requires a substantial overhaul, as stated on Wednesday.
Since the most recent outbreak of the hemorrhagic virus was announced in mid-May, Congo has reported nearly 4,000 Ebola cases and over 1,800 deaths. The number of infections is sharply increasing, and the virus has spread to five provinces despite considerable efforts by health officials and international partners.
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Issues such as insecurity, displacement of populations, and delays in detection have exacerbated the spread of the disease, with many cases occurring in communities before patients can access care, frequently during funerals and unsafe burial practices.
The six-month initiative will provide free healthcare across Ituri and North Kivu provinces through a collaboration of public, private, and faith-based facilities involved in the program. The Africa CDC and WHO indicated that this initiative will include essential medications, protective equipment, and operational funding, and will ensure prompt payment of salaries and risk allowances for frontline health workers.
Health authorities also pledged to expedite research on vaccines and treatments for the Bundibugyo virus—a rare Ebola strain for which no licensed vaccine currently exists.
Candidate vaccines will be evaluated, including studies on whether Merck & Co’s Ervebo vaccine—approved for the Zaire strain of Ebola—can offer cross-protective immunity. Expanded clinical trials of remdesivir, both alone and alongside the monoclonal antibody MBP134, will also take place.
This strategy marks a shift towards a community-focused response, involving traditional and religious leaders, community health workers, women’s and youth groups, as well as Ebola survivors in identifying suspected cases, tracing contacts, promoting safe burials, and encouraging early treatment seeking. The plan additionally outlines that operational and financial support will be directed directly to communities.
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The restructuring is happening alongside a rise in international support for the response.
Officials highlighted that donors have pledged over $420 million for the outbreak, with the Africa CDC commending an extra $242 million announced by the US to help combat the outbreak, improve regional preparedness, and provide humanitarian aid.
The new initiatives will be implemented immediately, as the government, WHO, and Africa CDC work together on a comprehensive implementation plan, with a review of progress set for October.
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