DRC begins new vaccine trial as outbreak kills over 4,600
The World Health Organization has launched the 'Tumaini' clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to test vaccines against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. This effort aims to address a major outbreak that has resulted in over 4,600 deaths.
Why it matters
The trial is critical because there is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, which is distinct from the Zaire strain covered by existing vaccines.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the commencement of a new Ebola vaccine trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as health authorities seek to establish whether existing and experimental vaccines can protect against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X account on Friday, announcing that the first participants had been vaccinated in Bunia, eastern DRC.
The trial, named Tumaini, which means “hope” in Swahili, will assess vaccine candidates designed to protect against the Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine has been approved.
“Science gives us hope,” Mr Ghebreyesus said, describing the trial as a DRC-led effort supported by WHO to establish whether the vaccine candidates could help protect people at risk of infection.
Headlinne story · 3 newsrooms
Democratic Republic of Congo Launches Clinical Trial for Ebola Vaccine
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