WHO Backs 3 Ebola Treatments for Bundibugyo Trials as Outbreak Spreads to 2 Countries
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 28
WHO Backs 3 Ebola Treatments for Bundibugyo Trials as Outbreak Spreads to 2 Countries
14 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 28
Three experimental treatments — MBP134, maftivimab and remdesivir — were prioritized by the WHO for clinical trials against the Bundibugyo Ebola strain during the outbreak in Congo and Uganda.
No approved vaccine or therapy exists specifically for Bundibugyo, prompting the WHO and partners to design ethically supervised trials with Congo, Uganda and Africa CDC.
Regeneron said maftivimab supplies are already in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while Gilead's oral obeldesivir was flagged for post-exposure use if contact tracing is strong.
Two vaccine candidates were highlighted: Oxford and Serum Institute's ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo could be ready for testing in two to three months, while IAVI's rVSV Bundibugyo may take seven to nine months.
Merck's licensed Ebola shot Ervebo was reviewed but should stay within research settings because evidence that it protects against Bundibugyo remains limited and inconclusive.
Can experimental vaccines win the race against a deadly outbreak spreading through a conflict zone?
With patients dying, is it ethical to restrict promising new drugs to clinical trials only?
Over 1,000 Cases and 230 Deaths: The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak’s Urgent Threat and Global Response Gaps
Overview
In late May 2026, a rapidly expanding Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has struck the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, creating a grave public health crisis. The epidemic is centered in eastern DRC, with recent spread into Uganda, and has already surpassed 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases, resulting in over 200 deaths. Major clusters are found in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, with cases now appearing in urban centers like Bunia and Goma. Uganda has also reported its first locally transmitted cases. The scale and spread of the outbreak highlight the urgent need for coordinated response and resources.