WHO Launches Vaccine Trial Amid Ebola Outbreak in DRC

The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with partners to commence a vaccine trial aimed at curbing the rapid spread of Ebola in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The outbreak has seen total cases surpassing a significant number, with reported deaths and over children having died since its onset.

The United Nations deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, provided these figures, highlighting the severe disruption to essential healthcare services, with health service usage plummeting by more than a certain percentage in the hardest-hit areas. This situation has particularly impacted pregnant women, with maternal deaths in Ituri province nearly doubling, resulting in approximately six women dying weekly from childbirth-related complications.

To address fear and misinformation, community workers from the Ministry of Public Health, WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control, UNICEF, and other partners have reached over a million people with information on Ebola prevention and conducted more than 500,000 household visits.