Oxford University has launched the world's first clinical trial of a vaccine candidate against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola amid efforts to contain the ongoing outbreak.
The Phase I study, designated BD-Ebov, aims to assess the safety and immune response of the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine. It will be conducted among 50 healthy adults aged 18 to 55 in Oxford. Participant recruitment is currently underway, and vaccination is expected to begin after receiving regulatory approvals.
The development of this vaccine was carried out by the Oxford Vaccine Group and the University's Institute of Pandemic Sciences. It utilizes the same ChAdOx1 viral vector platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. To support this trial, the Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactured and stockpiled approximately 620,000 doses of the vaccine candidate over two weeks, providing 4,000 investigational doses for Phase I.
The program is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) through an $8.6 million grant allocated to Oxford and SII. Furthermore, additional clinical trials are being prepared in Uganda, pending regulatory approval.
Professor Theresa Lambe, the lead researcher on the study, noted that this trial reflects the urgency of responding to the Bundibugyo outbreak. She emphasized that the vaccine underwent human testing just 57 days after the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern. If the vaccine's safety and its ability to elicit a strong immune response are proven, CEPI plans to support larger late-stage trials to gather data necessary for emergency use authorization or full licensure.
Dr. John Kasieya, Director of the Africa CDC, welcomed this stage, stating that while early trials will not provide immediate relief to communities affected by the outbreak, they are critical for developing vaccines for both the current epidemic and future outbreaks.
The World Health Organization reported the start of clinical trials for two experimental drugs in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat hemorrhagic fever caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The trials are being conducted as part of the PARTNERS program and include two medications: a mixture of two pan-ebolavirus monoclonal antibodies, MBP134, and a low-molecular-weight antiviral drug from the nucleoside analog group, remdesivir. These agents can be used either individually or in combination. These drugs were included in the guidelines for the prevention and experimental treatment of the infection, which were developed by experts and advisory groups involved with the WHO.
Since there are currently no approved vaccines or drugs against the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the situation remains critical. The outbreak of Ebola fever in Congo and Uganda was reported on May 17, 2026, after which the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
Currently, 1,460 cases have been registered in Congo, leading to 452 deaths, although 208 patients have recovered. An additional 20 cases have been confirmed in neighboring Uganda, including two fatalities, and one imported case has been recorded in France. Experts warn that the true size of the outbreak may be much larger, and there is a possibility that this epidemic could become the worst in history, requiring at least a year to contain.
In another area of medicine, Israeli specialists reported achieving the world's first success in treating opioid addiction using ultrasound stimulation of the nucleus accumbens. According to information posted on the website of the British branch of the Rambam Medical Center, a 20-minute procedure helped a patient in the acute phase of withdrawal syndrome reduce cravings, which previously exceeded the recommended drug dose by tens of times, to a zero score out of ten.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the first clinical trial of experimental treatments targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This marks a significant step in efforts to contain the recent outbreak of the disease in the country.
Since there are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, researchers have begun assessing two experimental therapies. The goal is to determine if they can improve survival chances among infected patients. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that the first participant was enrolled in the study this week. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination.
Concurrently, the WHO has granted emergency use authorization for the first molecular diagnostic test specifically designed to detect the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus. Healthcare workers note that the new test can significantly speed up diagnosis, allowing for faster isolation and treatment of patients.
Despite scientific advancements, officials warn that the outbreak continues to spread, and instability remains a major obstacle to an effective response. Health authorities have expanded laboratory capacities, increased contact tracing, and established additional treatment centers in affected areas.
However, ongoing violence has repeatedly disrupted medical operations and endangered healthcare workers. Tedros noted that despite the progress, serious issues persist, including mistrust and violence. He cited an attack on an Ebola treatment center in the Ituri province this week, which resulted in two deaths and the burning of the center, forcing patients to flee.
Regional leaders have also called for greater security to support public health measures. During a meeting in Kinshasa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed optimism about developing a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain by the end of the year. Nevertheless, he stressed that a medical breakthrough alone is insufficient to stop the outbreak.
Ramaphosa stated that a ceasefire is necessary in the region where Ebola is spreading and fighting continues. This is required to ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid, healthcare workers, and medicine to those affected. Furthermore, Ramaphosa announced a donation of $13.5 million to support the DRC's efforts to combat Ebola, as African governments and international partners intensify efforts to contain one of the region's most complex public health crises.
