Merck's Ebola Vaccine Deployed in DRC Amid Record Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing an unprecedented Ebola outbreak, with at least 5,200 confirmed cases and 2,476 deaths as of August 18. In response, scientists are deploying Merck's Ervebo vaccine to curb the spread of the virus.

The international organization managing the global stockpile of Ervebo has released 70,000 doses for use in the DRC, 20,000 for a clinical trial and 50,000 for frontline workers. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is also funding studies to analyze blood samples from people previously vaccinated against Ebola or Marburg viruses to see if there's evidence of cross-protection.

The development of vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo species of Ebola causing the outbreak may take several months, but scientists are hopeful that the deployed vaccine will help reduce transmission and improve survival rates.