Congo-Kinshasa: Epidemic Coalition Focuses on Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine

The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been labelled the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever, not only among the previous Bundibugyo outbreaks. This has raised concern that response efforts are falling behind the virus. As of 10 July 2026, the DR Congo had recorded 1,759 confirmed cases and 600 deaths . Neighbouring Uganda had reported 20 cases, including two fatalities and 17 recoveries.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said that efforts to contain the outbreak have made progress, but warned that rising infections continue to outpace the response.

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain, the current epidemic is driven by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or targeted treatments. Even so, researchers have launched the first clinical trials of potential therapies, while efforts to develop vaccines are being accelerated.