Ebola outbreak vaccine trials in DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its largest-ever Ebola outbreak, with 3,748 cases, 1,657 deaths, and 708 recoveries as of 1 August, according to the World Health Organization. The outbreak, declared in mid-May, is centered in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Ituri Province, where clinical trials for treatments and the first vaccine candidate for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola are underway. Vaccine trials began in the United Kingdom on 24 July and are starting in Canada, conducted on ferrets and monkeys. A clinical trial of a post-exposure prophylaxis medicine, led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo — National Institute for Biomedical Research, has enrolled over 25 patients. The United Nations and its agencies, including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme, UNICEF, MONUSCO, and International — United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, are supporting the response with screening, diagnostics, nurseries, protection, and funding. International — United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is releasing up to $60 million through CERF. A new 100-bed treatment centre was inaugurated in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Bunia.