WHO recommends Phase III trial of Ebola vaccine against Bundibugyo virus

The World Health Organization has recommended a Phase III trial of the Ebola vaccine Ervebo to test its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease, amid a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus announced the recommendation on Thursday. Two vaccines developed specifically against Bundibugyo virus have entered Phase I safety trials, while animal studies suggest Ervebo may offer cross-protection. The Phase III trial aims to establish safety and efficacy, though it remains unknown if Ervebo protects humans against this virus. The DRC outbreak has recorded 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths. No licensed vaccine currently exists for Bundibugyo virus disease, which has historical case fatality rates of 30 to 50 percent. The outbreak, first detected in May, has spread to Uganda and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. A WHO-sponsored treatment trial has reached 100 patients.