Published on: 2026-08-04
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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August 4, 2026 Healthcare
The Ebola fever outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to spread faster than response measures can be scaled up. At the same time, international research teams have begun clinical trials of experimental treatments, preventive drugs, and vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus. This was reported today by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to WHO data, as of August 1, 3,748 cases of the disease have been confirmed in the country, including 1,657 fatalities. 708 patients have recovered. About 17,000 people who had contact with the infected are under observation, with more than 80 percent of them undergoing medical examinations daily.
Testing of new treatment methods
As reported by acting head of the WHO research and development program Vasi Murti during a briefing in Geneva, to date, there are no safe and effective methods for the treatment and prevention of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, nor vaccines against it.
The WHO coordinates a global research program through which clinical trial protocols were prepared in advance. This made it possible to start research immediately after the current outbreak was announced.
In the Ituri province, a clinical trial of treatment methods called PARTNERS is already underway at three sites. More than 50 patients are participating, and as new centers open, the enrollment rate will increase.
Meanwhile, in Ituri, the testing of the drug odesivivir for post-exposure prophylaxis continues. Researchers are evaluating whether a ten-day course of the drug can prevent the development of the disease in people at high risk of infection. More than 25 participants have already been included in the study.
Vaccine Development
WHO also reported the start of trials for two vaccines. On July 24th, the first phase of clinical trials began in the United Kingdom for a vaccine specifically developed by Oxford University in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India. This week, the first phase of trials for Moderna’s vaccine is scheduled to begin in Canada.
In addition, new data obtained from animal studies have emerged regarding the already registered Ervebo vaccine, which is designed against a different strain of the Ebola virus. In connection with this, on July 31, WHO convened a meeting of its Technical Advisory Group, and recommendations on the use of these data are expected to be published later this week.
Answering journalists’ questions, Murthy noted that obtaining more definite conclusions from current research will require several more months.
He also emphasized that compared to previous Ebola outbreaks, clinical trials were able to start much more quickly because the necessary protocols had been prepared even before the current epidemic. At the same time, despite encouraging preclinical results, it is still impossible to say whether they will lead to the creation of effective vaccines.
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