The World Health Organization (WHO) has given the go-ahead for clinical trials of two new vaccines aimed at combating the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. This move comes as health officials grapple with the largest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) history.

Expert groups within the WHO recommended the inclusion of these two vaccine trials on Monday. The Bundibugyo virus has proven particularly deadly, claiming the lives of over 5,300 people, predominantly in the DRC, since the current outbreak began in May. The lack of a specific vaccine or tailored treatments for this strain has contributed to its high fatality rate, estimated at 50 percent.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that a trial initiated last month utilizes the Ervebo vaccine. While effective against the Zaire strain of Ebola, Ervebo is not designed for the Bundibugyo variant. The newly approved vaccines, however, are specifically engineered to target the Bundibugyo virus.

Results from these crucial vaccine trials are anticipated in early 2027, according to the WHO. The National Institute for Biomedical Research in the DRC is spearheading the trial efforts, with support from the WHO and other international partners. The development of these vaccines is a collaborative effort involving the University of Oxford, the Serum Institute of India, and Moderna.

Dr. Tedros emphasized that while vaccines are vital tools, they are not a replacement for immediate, proven public health interventions. He stressed the continued importance of early medical care, rigorous contact tracing, isolation of infected individuals, safe and dignified burial practices, and building trust with affected communities.

The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 10,444 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo virus, marking it as the fastest-growing outbreak on record in the DRC. Cases have also been reported in Kenya, with nine confirmed cases including two deaths, and one confirmed case in Nigeria.

In response to the outbreak, Dr. Tedros urged countries to reconsider and lift travel restrictions. He warned that such measures can inadvertently discourage transparent reporting of cases, penalize nations for their efforts to control the spread, and ultimately hinder the effectiveness of the response.

The WHO is actively working with all neighboring countries of the DRC to bolster their preparedness and mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission. In a separate development, a British healthcare worker diagnosed with Ebola in the DRC is being evacuated to the United Kingdom for specialized medical treatment. A UK government spokesperson confirmed the patient is in a stable condition and expected to arrive in the UK by Thursday for transfer to a high-consequence infectious disease unit, with the risk to the UK public assessed as low.