The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new emergency guidance on using the licensed Ervebo vaccine during outbreaks of Bundibugyo virus disease, now limiting its use to research protocols.

The organisation made this known in a statement on Tuesday, saying the guidance followed an extraordinary meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation held on 19 August, 2026.

WHO said Ervebo should currently be used against Bundibugyo virus only within a research protocol to generate evidence on its effectiveness, rather than through broader routine outbreak vaccination.

According to the organisation, a ring vaccination randomised controlled trial would be the most robust approach for determining Ervebo’s efficacy against Bundibugyo virus disease among affected populations.

The organisation said broader vaccine use before trial results would require a comprehensive risk-mitigation plan addressing potential risks associated with such use during outbreak response and monitoring recipient health outcomes promptly.

“WHO continues recommending preventive Ervebo vaccination for healthcare and frontline workers in Ebola virus priority areas with previous Ebola disease outbreaks.”

The organisation in its guidance, also emphasised preventive vaccination policy.

“In areas affected by the current Bundibugyo outbreak, Ervebo should only support outbreak response through research protocols, including ring trials or observational vaccine-effectiveness studies.” WHO said, stressing that evidence generation remains essential.

“Such studies could provide additional evidence about the potential performance of Ervebo against Bundibugyo virus during ongoing outbreaks,” it said.

The statement said those findings could inform future policy and vaccine recommendations later.

The organisation said off-label use might exceptionally be considered where research was not feasible, provided reliable vaccination records could track recipients and subsequent health outcomes over time and support safety monitoring.

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It urged accelerated development and rigorous evaluation of vaccines specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease and post-exposure prophylaxis products for outbreak preparedness and response, and other needed countermeasures for affected populations globally.

The organisation also called for stronger coordination among partners supporting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other countries considering Ervebo within research protocols to ensure consistent implementation and evidence sharing promptly.

It recommended developing and sharing master protocols for ring vaccination trials and high-quality observational studies to ensure timely, coordinated evidence generation during the outbreak and future emergency responses in affected countries.

(NAN)

Islamic Group Speaks on Establishment of Hisbah in Platea

The Plateau State chapter of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has dismissed reports that an Islamic organisation established a Hisbah Corps to enforce religious and moral rules in parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

Politics Nigeria reports the group described the claims as false and insisted that no Islamic organisation in the state had initiated plans to establish Hisbah or any similar enforcement body.

The clarification came amid growing public concern over claims that individuals operating under the name “HISBA” had allegedly been intimidating residents, harassing people, extorting money and imposing unauthorised restrictions in some communities.

Recall that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had earlier ordered an immediate end to the activities of the group, describing its operations as illegal and unauthorised.

The governor also directed security agencies to identify and investigate those behind the activities and arrest anyone found to have committed criminal offences.

Mutfwang, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, warned against the emergence of parallel authorities or self-appointed enforcement organisations in the state.

He maintained that the enforcement of laws remained the responsibility of constitutionally recognised authorities and that no individual or organisation had the right to assume powers not granted by law.

According to the governor, Plateau State operates under one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority.

He stressed that the government’s directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community but was aimed at ensuring that all residents operated within the law.

The governor further directed security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and protect residents from alleged intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.

Amid the controversy, the JNI secretary in Plateau, Dr Salim Musa Umar, said the organisation had investigated the claims and found no basis for reports that a Hisbah Corps was being established

In a statement released on Tuesday, Umar said the controversy appeared to have originated from social media, where images allegedly generated using artificial intelligence were circulated to create the impression that a Hisbah group had been inaugurated in Jos North.

“I want to assure the people that no Islamic organisation in Plateau has come out to say it wants to establish Hisbah. There is nothing like that. It has never been discussed, and it is not part of what is being considered,” Umar said.

He explained that the establishment of a Hisbah organisation would require legal backing from the Plateau State House of Assembly, stressing that no religious body could unilaterally create such an enforcement institution.

“Hisbah cannot be established without a law from the State House of Assembly, and the government has not done that. Therefore, people cannot simply come out and claim that they have established Hisbah,” he added.

The JNI official urged residents to disregard the reports and appealed to social media users to stop creating and circulating unverified content capable of inflaming tensions or undermining peaceful coexistence in Plateau State.