WHO recommends Ervebo trial for Bundibugyo

The World Health Organization's vaccine advisory group (TAG-CVP) recommended on Friday that RVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, be prioritized for inclusion in a randomized Phase III clinical trial to assess its cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is driving the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The recommendation follows a review of animal studies showing improved survival in vaccinated non-human primates and ferrets exposed to Bundibugyo. WHO officials, including Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that the virus is spreading faster than response efforts, with confirmed cases reaching 4,053 and 1,850 deaths. The trial would be a ring vaccination trial in the DRC, involving contacts of known cases. GAVI, the global vaccine alliance, maintains a stockpile of 500,000 RVSV-ZEBOV vaccine doses and will make doses available for the trial, with some already in the DRC. WHO experts noted that while RVSV-ZEBOV vaccine may not fully prevent infection or transmission, it could reduce severe illness and death. A specific Bundibugyo vaccine remains the preferred option, with two candidates in early human trials and a third in development. The outbreak is concentrated in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Ituri Province (87% of cases) and Democratic Republic of the Congo — North Kivu (11%).