WHO Allocates 20,000 Ervebo Doses for Ebola Trial

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has allocated 20,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine for a Phase 3 clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to address an expanding outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus. This trial involves frontline health workers and others engaged in the Ebola response, particularly in Ituri Province, the outbreak's epicentre.

The research aims to determine if Ervebo, which is licensed for Ebola caused by the Zaire virus, can protect against Bundibugyo virus disease, for which no licensed vaccine currently exists. The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision initially provided 70,000 doses of Ervebo to the DRC, with 20,000 designated for the trial and 50,000 for frontline healthcare workers.

As of September 20, the DRC has reported 7,733 confirmed Bundibugyo cases and 3,732 deaths, with the outbreak spreading to 63 health zones across seven provinces, raising concerns about further transmission.