WHO accelerates Ebola vaccine trials as DR Congo outbreak death toll reaches 1,700

The death toll from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak has risen to more than 1,700, as the World Health Organization (WHO) accelerates trials of experimental vaccines and treatments.

Government figures show the Bundibugyo strain outbreak has killed 1,707 people from 3,802 recorded cases since it was declared on May 15.

More than 17,000 contacts are being monitored, with about 80 percent followed up each day, according to WHO data.

The outbreak is now the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record and the fastest growing and there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.

Speaking in Geneva, WHO official Vasee Moorthy said research had progressed faster than in previous outbreaks.

“If you compare this outbreak to previous Ebola outbreaks, we have been able to start trials more quickly. It’s true that the preclinical data that we’re seeing is promising,” he said.

Moorthy stressed that clinical trials would determine whether the experimental medicines and vaccines are effective.

The outbreak is centred in Ituri province but has spread to five other provinces, including Kisangani. More than 100 healthcare workers have been infected.

Health officials say the response continues to be hampered by insecurity, attacks on health facilities, funding shortages, delayed contact tracing and mistrust within affected communities. 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to visit the country this week to assess the response.