WHO Urges Trials of Licensed Ebola Vaccine Against Bundibugyo Strain as DRC Outbreak Hits 4,000 Cases

On 7 August 2026, WHO recommended full-scale human trials of Ervebo — the only licensed Ebola vaccine — to test cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain. DRC's outbreak, the fastest-spreading on record, has reached 4,053 cases and 1,850 deaths since mid-May. Animal studies showed encouraging results. Gavi released 500,000 stockpiled doses, some already in DRC. WHO experts urged managed expectations on efficacy.