Africa CDC endorses scientific expert recommendations for DRC Ebola outbreak
Following a review of the latest epidemiological data, the ECG noted that the DRC had recorded 4,449 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,061 confirmed deaths, representing a case-fatality rate of 46.3%.
ETHIOPIA—The Africa CDC has endorsed recommendations from its Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) to strengthen the response to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected African countries.
The ECG, chaired by Prof. Salim Abdool Karim, comprises leading African scientists with expertise in infectious diseases, epidemiology, and public health.
Africa CDC said the group’s recommendations would help ensure that the continental response remains grounded in the best available scientific evidence and African expertise.
Outbreak Continues to Grow
Following a review of the latest epidemiological data, the ECG noted that the DRC had recorded 4,449 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,061 confirmed deaths, representing a case-fatality rate of 46.3%.
The outbreak is reportedly generating about 100 new cases each day, while the effective reproduction number, R(t), has remained above 1.
Given the continued rapid growth of the outbreak, the ECG recommended maintaining the Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) declaration.
The group also welcomed improvements in epidemiological surveillance, particularly the availability of more detailed information on outbreak hotspots, affected age groups and clinical presentations.
It further recognised progress in Uganda and the DRC, including increased treatment-bed capacity, laboratory testing and other response measures.
Gaps in Case Detection and Contact Tracing
Despite this progress, the ECG identified several areas requiring urgent attention.
It noted that 63% of Ebola deaths during the previous two weeks occurred in communities, while only about one-third occurred in Ebola Treatment Centres.
The high proportion of community deaths could hinder case detection, increase exposure among household caregivers and complicate contact tracing and reporting.
The ECG also stressed that every undiagnosed or late-diagnosed Ebola case represents a missed opportunity to interrupt transmission.
It therefore called for additional resources to improve case detection and contact tracing, which remain suboptimal in the DRC.
At the same time, the group welcomed the expansion of Ebola testing capacity.
The number of laboratories testing for Ebola in the DRC has increased from two to 19, supported by two mobile laboratories, giving the country a combined capacity of more than 3,000 samples per day.
Evidence on Ervebo Vaccine
The ECG also reviewed evidence on Ervebo, the vaccine being considered for protection against Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
It found no reliable clinical evidence confirming its effectiveness against the virus, while noting that immunological evidence remains difficult to interpret because no validated correlate of protection exists.
However, emerging evidence on binding antibodies and clinical cases was considered cautiously promising.
The ECG said further evidence was needed to establish whether Ervebo can prevent Bundibugyo Ebola infection.
The group recommended prioritising Ervebo through two approaches: a clinical trial using ring vaccination of contacts and compassionate vaccination of frontline workers under a clinical study protocol.
Under the proposed trial, contacts would receive the vaccine either immediately or two to three weeks later, generating evidence on its effectiveness.
Frontline workers would also receive the vaccine, and researchers would document infections and outcomes to assess whether vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease or death.
The ECG said evidence from these approaches should inform and, where necessary, modify the continued use of Ervebo in the Ebola response.
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