The Massive Spread of Ebola results in Vaccine Shortage

The second-largest outbreak in history had increased the concerns of the health workers that they may be shortage of vaccines as the spread is vast than expected. To the additional challenge of combatting the local rebel attacks, the workers had to face the new problem, shortage of stock.   The spread in Butembo with more than 1 million residents are attacked by the contagious hemorrhagic fever.   

According to the reports of medical charity officers there are new sprouts in the isolated districts and in the eastern suburbs.  According to the Congo�s health ministry there are 423 confirmed cases including 225 confirmed deaths.  More than 41,000 people are vaccinated so far, if not vaccinated there would be more than 10,000 Ebola cases.  The world health organization says that it is impossible to predict the serious and worsening situation.  This outbreak is different from previous outbreaks as they have to combat the armed locals and the spread is vast in the remote areas.  

During the combat with the armed locals, 7 UN peacekeepers were mercilessly killed, 1 missing and 10 wounded in the northeast operation, which is facing a gigantic outbreak according to United Nations report.  Six peacekeepers who were killed belong to Malawi and one belong to Tanzania. The Ebola vaccines from Merck Pharmaceutical company says it would take months to prepare the immediate requirements and now has a stockpile of only 300,000 doses. 

Dr. Peter Salama, WHO emergency Director says that 300,000 doses is not sufficient to meet the current needs as the massive spread had reached its peak in a major city like Butembo.  A WHO spokesman said they got shipments of doses arriving almost every week until now but due to spread of Ebola like forest fire, they are facing this shortage.  Merck company is honestly working to ensure sufficient supply of doses as quickest as possible.   Thousands of people organized by Red Cross visit the houses door-to-door instructing the residents and limiting their physical contacts.