WHO Launches Ebola Vaccine Trial Amid DR Congo Outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commenced the first clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where the ongoing outbreak has resulted in over 4,600 fatalities and more than 9,700 reported cases. The trial began on Friday in Bunia, targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the trial on 𝕏, referring to it as a significant step towards safeguarding individuals from Ebola. The trial, named Tumaini, meaning 'hope' in Swahili, will initially assess the Ervebo vaccine, which is already approved for the Zaire strain, to evaluate its efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain.

Tedros emphasized that the trial aims to determine whether existing vaccine candidates can provide protection against the strain responsible for the current outbreak. The study will also include two other vaccine candidates specifically developed for the Bundibugyo strain as they advance through earlier clinical testing stages.