16,000 EBOLA VACCINE DOSES ARRIVE IN CONGO

KINSHASA, AUGUST 22 /SRNA/ — Congo has received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as the country battles what is described as the largest Ebola outbreak in its history, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said.

A total of 16,250 doses from an expected shipment of 70,000 arrived last night at the international airport in the capital, Kinshasa. The remaining doses are expected from the World Health Organization /WHO/ and its UN agency partners.

Additional doses are expected early next week, AP reported.

The current Ebola outbreak in Congo is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine.

The virus spreads easily and can go undetected because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as malaria.

The Ervebo vaccine is licensed for the prevention of Ebola and has proven effective during previous outbreaks.

The WHO said it may also provide some protection against the Bundibugyo virus.

According to the latest figures, 2,516 people have died and 5,290 cases of infection have been confirmed since the outbreak began in February.