DRC Ebola outbreak deaths reach 1,405 as Oxford launches vaccine trial

The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 1,405, with confirmed infections now standing at 3,200, according to government figures released Sunday. Health officials said the eastern provinces hardest hit by the outbreak continue to face strained hospital capacity and disrupted supply chains for protective equipment.

The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as one of the most severe in the country's history, citing the pace of transmission and the involvement of remote areas with limited health infrastructure. Local health workers have repeatedly gone on strike in recent weeks over unpaid wages and inadequate protective gear, complicating containment efforts.

Against this backdrop, researchers at Oxford University said they have begun the first clinical trial of a new Ebola vaccine candidate, enrolling volunteers in affected regions in coordination with Congolese health authorities. Scientists cautioned that results are still months away, but described the trial as a critical step toward a durable response to recurring outbreaks in the region.