WHO launches clinical trial for Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines in Congo

The World Health Organization has announced the launch of a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola, following the vaccination of four individuals in the first phase of the trial in Bunia.

Meg Doherty, WHO Director of Science for Health, said the trial, named "TUMAINI," is based on vaccinating contacts of infected individuals with the Ervebo vaccine, which has proven effective against this strain.

Doherty added that WHO experts are also evaluating two other vaccines developed by the University of Oxford and Moderna, noting that results may take several months.

She indicated that efforts are underway to expand the trial in order to provide effective vaccines to protect the population from current and future outbreaks of the virus.