More than 300 children have died in the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the United Nations warning that children and women are bearing a disproportionate share of the health crisis.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said children account for nearly a quarter of confirmed Ebola cases but almost one-third of reported deaths. The worst-affected province, Ituri, is also home to nearly one million people displaced by conflict, about 80 per cent of whom are women and children.
The outbreak has disrupted access to essential healthcare, with use of health services falling by more than 40 per cent in some affected areas. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said maternal deaths in Ituri had nearly doubled since the outbreak began, with about six women reportedly dying each week from childbirth-related complications.
More than 13,000 community health workers have been deployed by the Congolese government and partners, reaching over 2.4 million people with information on Ebola prevention and early detection. They have also conducted more than 500,000 household visits to counter misinformation and encourage residents to seek treatment promptly.
Meanwhile, a World Health Organisation (WHO) expert panel has recommended that Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, be evaluated in a randomised clinical trial against the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak. Preliminary animal studies suggest the vaccine may provide some protection against severe disease and death, although its effectiveness against Bundibugyo Ebola has not yet been established.
The experts stressed that a vaccine specifically developed for Bundibugyo Ebola remains the preferred option, while urging further research to determine whether Ervebo can help contain the current outbreak.
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