The World Health Organization (WHO) began vaccinating healthcare workers and people who have been in contact with confirmed cases on Tuesday, in response to the rise in Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to local media, 400 of the 2,000 available doses of the Ebola vaccine currently in stock have been sent to Bulape, the epicenter of the outbreak.
Authorities have confirmed that the vaccination of healthcare workers and contact cases has begun.
The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision has approved the shipment of an additional 45,000 doses to help control the spread of the virus.
Patrick Otim, a regional WHO official, warned of a potential expansion of the outbreak, noting that the risk of cross-border transmission to neighboring Angola remains moderate.
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba announced a new Ebola outbreak on September 4, a development confirmed by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In the Kasaï region, the number of suspected cases has risen from 28 to 68 in one week. The outbreak, initially confined to two districts, has now spread to four. The death toll has increased from 15 to 16.