# WHO Endorses Clinical Trials for Two New Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccines New vaccine candidates target the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain amid a record-breaking African outbreak. - **Source:** [Euronews – Latest](https://www.euronews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d2e37164-a822-4ea0-942b-2108c441becb ## Clinical Trial Expansion The World Health Organization has officially backed clinical trials for two new vaccine candidates specifically designed to combat the Bundibugyo virus. This rare Ebola variant currently lacks any approved vaccine. These trials aim to provide critical medical interventions for an outbreak that has already claimed over 5,300 lives across Africa. ## Development and Partnership The two vaccine candidates are being developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, alongside a separate candidate from Moderna. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research will lead the clinical trials, supported by international partners including the World Health Organization. ## Outbreak Scale and Impact The current epidemic, which originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May, has infected more than 10,000 individuals. With a fatality rate exceeding 50 percent, it is documented as the fastest-growing and most widespread Ebola outbreak on record. The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains the primary epicenter of infections. ## Regional Spread Concerns While the Democratic Republic of the Congo reports 5,103 deaths, the virus has also reached Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. This geographical expansion complicates containment efforts. Health authorities are struggling to manage the rapid transmission of the Bundibugyo strain, which has necessitated the urgent pursuit of these new, specialized vaccine candidates. ## Travel Restriction Controversy Several nations, including Ghana and the United States, have implemented travel restrictions for arrivals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization chief has publicly condemned these measures, arguing they punish transparent countries and create disincentives for reporting. He explicitly recommended that all such travel restrictions be lifted. ## Public Health Strategy The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention aligns with the World Health Organization, maintaining that travel restrictions should not serve as a primary public health tool. Experts emphasize that vaccines are powerful instruments but cannot replace essential measures like contact tracing, isolation, safe burials, and consistent community engagement efforts. ## Operational Challenges The trial process faces significant pressure due to the high mortality rate and the speed of the current epidemic. Medical teams are balancing the introduction of new vaccines with proven containment protocols. The focus remains on early care and community trust, which are vital for mitigating the impact of the virus. ## Future Clinical Outlook The success of these trials is critical for future pandemic preparedness against the Bundibugyo variant. As the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to lead the research, the global health community watches closely. The integration of these vaccines into the response strategy marks a pivotal shift in managing this specific strain. ## Sources covering this story - [Aftonbladet — WHO Approves Clinical Trials for Two New Ebola Vaccines](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Gr44nQ/who-godkanner-test-av-tva-nya-ebolavaccin?utm_medium=rss) - [Euronews – Latest — WHO Backs Clinical Trials for Two New Ebola Vaccines](https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/04/who-backs-trials-for-two-new-vaccines-against-ebola-outbreak) - [Euronews – Health — WHO Backs Clinical Trials for Two New Ebola Vaccines](https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/04/who-backs-trials-for-two-new-vaccines-against-ebola-outbreak) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._