Experimental Ebola vaccine to be used in Congo's outbreak, WHO head says - Action News
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Health

Experimental Ebola vaccine to be used in Congo's outbreak, WHO head says

'All is ready now to really use [the vaccine],' WHO Director-General says in praising Congo's response to the outbreak that's killed 19 people.

Information about the outbreak in Equateur province still limited

A health worker injects a woman with an Ebola vaccine during a trial in Monrovia, Liberia, in 2015. The Congolese government has formally agreed to use an experimental Ebola vaccine in response to an outbreak, WHO says. (James Giahyue/Reuters)

The World Health Organization hasa green light from Congo to import anduse an experimental Ebola vaccine in the country, WHODirector-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters onMonday.

"We have agreement, registration, plus import permit,everything formally agreed already," Tedros said. "All is readynow to really use it," he said, adding that the Congolesegovernment deserved praise for its response to the outbreak.

The country reported 39 suspected, probable or confirmed cases of Ebolabetween April 4 and May 13, including 19 deaths, WHO said.



It said 393 people who identified as contacts of Ebolapatients were being followed up. Information about the outbreakin Bikoro, Iboko and Wangata health zones in Equateur provincewas still limited, the WHO said in a statement.

At present the outbreak did not meet the criteria fordeclaring a "public health event of international concern," which would trigger the formation of an emergency WHO committee.