The World Health Organization announced on Monday that it has authorized clinical trials for two experimental vaccines specifically designed to combat the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The move comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) grapples with the most extensive outbreak of this variant in its history.
New vaccine trials target Bundibugyo Ebola
Expert panels within the WHO recommended the addition of two vaccine studies that focus on the Bundibugyo virus, which has claimed more than 5,300 lives, predominantly in the DRC, since the outbreak began in May. The strain is noted for a roughly 50 percent case‑fatality rate, a figure driven by the current absence of a dedicated vaccine or treatment.
According to WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyess, a separate trial that started last month employed the Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for the Zaire strain of Ebola but is not tailored for Bundibugyo. He emphasized that the newly approved candidates are built expressly for the Bundibugyo virus, with trial outcomes anticipated by early 2027.
The DRC’s National Institute for Biomedical Research will lead the investigations, supported by the WHO and additional partners. The candidate vaccine was co‑developed by the University of Oxford, the Serum Institute of India and Moderna.
“Vaccines are powerful tools, but they are not substitutes for the proven measures that can save lives now: early care, contact tracing, isolation, safe and dignified burials and trusted engagement with communities,” Tedros said, underscoring the continued importance of traditional public‑health interventions.
Outbreak status and regional response
The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 10,444 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo virus, marking it as the fastest‑growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC’s record. Neighboring nations are also feeling the impact: Kenya has logged nine infections, including two deaths, while Nigeria has recorded a single case.
Tedros called on countries that have imposed travel bans to reconsider those measures, warning that restrictions can penalize nations acting responsibly, deter transparent reporting and undermine the overall response. He noted that the WHO is assisting bordering states in preparing for potential cross‑border transmission.
International travel and patient evacuation
In a related development, a British health‑care worker who contracted Ebola in the DRC is being airlifted to the United Kingdom for specialized care. A UK government spokesperson confirmed that the patient is stable, expected to arrive by Thursday, and will be transferred to a high‑consequence infectious disease unit upon landing. Officials reiterated that the risk to the general public in the UK remains low.
These coordinated actions—ranging from vaccine development to diplomatic appeals against travel restrictions—reflect a multi‑layered effort to curb the spread of a virus that has already caused widespread devastation. While the experimental vaccines offer a hopeful prospect for longer‑term control, health authorities continue to stress that immediate containment relies on established practices such as rapid case identification, isolation, safe burial procedures and community trust.
As the DRC celebrates the discharge of the last patient from an Ebola treatment centre, the global health community watches closely for data from the upcoming trials, which could shape the future of Ebola preparedness and response worldwide.
Helene Elliott is the Lead Science & Space Reporter at News Raise. She reports on aerospace missions, astrophysics discoveries, quantum research, and environmental technology.
