Health
WHO begins clinical trial of Ebola vaccine in DR Congo outbreak
October 24, 2026 at 09:26 AM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 8 hours
The World Health Organization has launched the first clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine amid the Bundibugyo strain outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the trial's start, with the first participants vaccinated with the Ervebo vaccine in Bunia, Ituri province.
- Ervebo, approved against the Zaire Ebola strain, will be tested for cross-protection against the Bundibugyo species behind the current epidemic.
- Tedros said the trial will determine whether any vaccine candidates designed for the Bundibugyo virus work.
- The DRC has reported more than 9,700 cases and over 4,600 deaths since declaring its 17th Ebola outbreak in May, prompting a WHO public health emergency declaration.