Health · DRC outbreakEbola Spreads to 60 Zones as Vaccine's Match QuestionedAired August 29, 2026 at 11:37 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Ebola's only vaccine faces a strain it has never been proven to stop.0:03The outbreak has now reached 60 health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo,0:07with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths.0:12That death toll is on track to surpass the worst Ebola epidemic on record, which0:16killed more than 11,000 people.0:18So the question is, will the vaccine work against the strain that's driving this0:21outbreak?0:22The outbreak is caused by the Bundabugio strain, one of the least characterized0:26Ebola viruses.0:27It's the fastest growing Ebola outbreak in the country's history, and it was0:31declared a public health emergency of international concern in May.0:35This is the eastern Congo, where the outbreak began.0:38The epicenter is Ituri Province, which accounts for roughly 85% of cases.0:44Now the virus has reached two new zones in North Kivu, Bienna and Mangurajipa.0:48The epicenter is Itori Province, which accounts for roughly 85% of cases, but now0:53the virus has reached two new zones in North Kivu, Bienna and Mangurajipa.0:58In North Kivu, the case fatality rate is close to 69%.1:01a figure attributed in part to delayed response.1:04The overall case fatality rate is about 48%.1:07But in North Kivu, where the outbreak has just spread, it's close to 69%, a figure1:13attributed in part to delayed response.1:15The outbreak was declared a global emergency in May.1:18By August, the international community began moving, but the vaccine's efficacy1:23remains unproven.1:24The only licensed Ebola vaccine, ERVBO, is approved and pre-qualified exclusively1:29for the Zaire strain.1:30The Zaire and Bundibugio surface glycoproteins differ by about 35%.1:35Evidence of cross-protection is very limited and insufficient.1:39ERVBO is designed for the Zaire strain, but this outbreak is caused by Bundibugio,1:44which differs by about 35% in its surface proteins.1:48Evidence of cross-protection is very limited and insufficient.1:51Emergency guidance states the vaccine's cross-protection is very limited and1:55insufficient, and it should not be used programmatically outside research settings.2:00The case count is climbing fast.2:02On August 24th, the tally stood at 5,515.2:06By August 25th, it had risen to 5,656.2:10As of August 28th, it's 5,794.2:14That's an average of about 90 new cases per day in the first three months.2:18The case count is climbing fast.2:20On August 24th, it was 5,515.2:23By August 25th, 5,656.2:27Now it's 5,794.2:30Despite the uncertainty, the response is moving.2:33An international coordinating group approved an initial allocation of 70,000 ERVO2:38doses, 20,000 for a Phase 3 trial of efficacy against Bundibugio, and 50,000 for2:44frontline health workers.2:45The first physical shipment of about 16,250 doses reached Kinshasa on August2:5021st.2:51Vaccination began in Kasangani on August 27th under a compassionate use framework.2:56By August 28th, more than 50,000 doses had been received.3:00The remaining doses are still in transit.3:02An international coordinating group splits 70,000 doses, 20,000 for a trial of3:07efficacy against Bondibugio, and 50,000 for frontline workers.3:10The first shipment of about 16,250 doses landed in Kinshasa on August 21.3:16Vaccination began in Kisangani on August 26.3:19The response faces huge obstacles.3:21Armed conflict, displacement, health worker strikes, and attacks on medical3:25personnel are all hampering containment.3:27Community mistrust and weak infrastructure make it worse.3:30High population mobility adds to the challenge.3:33Health worker strikes have further slowed the response.3:35The response is hampered by armed conflict, displacement, health worker strikes,3:40attacks on medical personnel, community mistrust, and weak infrastructure.3:45The crisis has drawn international attention.3:47Pope Leo XIV appealed for international action on August 23rd.3:52Meanwhile, Uganda's related outbreak has concluded with 20 infections and 2 deaths.3:56Uganda was declared Ebola-free in late August.3:59The official figures are confirmed, but analysts estimate the true scale may be up4:03to three times larger due to conflict and access barriers.4:06And the vaccine's efficacy against this strain remains unknown until the Phase III4:10trial produces results.4:12As of August 28, the public guidance still does not recommend Ervobo for Bundibugio4:16outbreaks.4:17The official figures are confirmed, but due to conflict and access barriers, the4:21true scale may be up to three times larger, and the vaccine's efficacy against this4:26strain is unknown.4:27The Phase III trial began only in late August.4:31Results are expected in the coming weeks.4:33Until then, the world's only tool for Ebola is being used against a strain it wasn't4:37designed to fight.4:38The coming weeks will determine whether it can meet this challenge.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗Related coverageBackgroundOct 21 09:53 UTCAbuja Ebola patient in isolation as Nigeria traces 44 contactsBackgroundOct 21 08:18 UTCKenya’s Ebola cases reach nine as first quarantined contacts near release