Ebola Vaccinations Begin In DR Congo

Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun an immunisation campaign in an attempt to halt the spread of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

The experimental vaccine proved effective when used in limited trials during the epidemic which struck West Africa in 2014-16.

At least 26 people are believed to have died in the current outbreak.

Health workers were among the first to receive the vaccine on Monday.

What is Ebola?

It is an infectious illness that causes internal bleeding and often proves fatal.

It can spread rapidly through contact with small amounts of bodily fluid, and its early flu-like symptoms are not always obvious.

More than 11,300 people died in the earlier outbreak in 2014-16.