WHO Pleads for More Support to Tackle Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed for more funding and resources to fight the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the largest ever to hit the country despite being declared less than three months ago.

"The outbreak is unfortunately still expanding beyond the capacity of the response," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.

"We need more support in terms of finances, but also other resources to scale up all areas of response: treatment capacity, field investigation teams, safe burial teams and community workers."

There have been 3,802 confirmed cases in the DRC, including 1,707 deaths. A total of 727 patients have recovered, while 275 suspected cases are under investigation. Some 17,000 contacts are being monitored, with more than 80% receiving daily check-ups.

Though cases have been reported from five provinces, nearly 90% are in the northeastern Ituri province, with nearly all the rest in neighbouring North Kivu. Jasarevic said the response needed to focus on where the virus is spreading now, and where it might go next.

A viral haemorrhagic fever, Ebola spreads through close contact and infected bodily fluids. The DRC's 17th outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths in Ituri. It is driven by the Bundibugyo species, for which there are no proven safe and efficacious treatments, vaccines or prophylaxis options.

Vaccine trials

Vasee Moorthy, who leads the WHO's research and development blueprint arm, said early indications from various trials were promising. New data is emerging on whether the Ervebo vaccine, which works against the Zaire species, also provides cross-protection against Bundibugyo in animals. A WHO vaccine advisory group reviewed the data on Friday and will issue recommendations later this week.

The two front-running candidates are a ChAdOx1 platform jab developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, and an mRNA candidate from US firm Moderna. The ChAdOx1 vaccine began Phase I trials in Britain on July 24, while Moderna's is set to start Phase I trials in Canada this week. Both are being tested on ferrets and monkeys alongside human volunteers receiving different doses.

In Ituri, the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and antiviral remdesivir are being tested on confirmed patients, alone and in combination. A separate trial of the antiviral obeldesivir has enrolled more than 25 high-risk contacts "to evaluate whether this oral medicine, given for 10 days, can prevent onset of disease", Moorthy said.