The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that a vaccine called Ervebo be prioritised for a randomised clinical trial against Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The recommendation followed preliminary animal study data suggesting that the vaccine may provide some cross-protection against the disease, particularly in reducing deaths.

WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccine Prioritisation made the recommendation at its third meeting on 31 July, after reviewing available evidence on the vaccine’s safety, efficacy, availability and feasibility.

The development comes as the DRC continues to respond to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which was declared on 15 May 2026.

As of 30 July, WHO had recorded 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths from the outbreak in the DRC.

Why Ervebo is being considered

The advisory group’s recommendation is significant because Ervebo was developed specifically against Ebola virus disease caused by the Ebola Zaire virus, rather than the Bundibugyo virus.

According to WHO, the group initially advised against using Ervebo outside carefully designed research settings because its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease remained uncertain.

However, preliminary animal study data indicate that Ervebo may confer some cross-protection against Bundibugyo virus disease, particularly by reducing mortality.

The latest evidence prompted the advisory group to recommend that Ervebo be prioritised for a randomised clinical trial to determine its effectiveness against the disease.

What is the Bundibugyo virus?

The Bundibugyo virus causes Ebola disease. It is distinct from the Ebola virus that Ervebo was specifically developed to protect against.

The Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the DRC is the first of its kind in the country. WHO says there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease.

The disease is a severe infection, and previous Bundibugyo virus disease outbreaks have recorded case fatality rates ranging from 30 to 50 per cent, according to WHO.

Safety concerns

According to WHO, the advisory group found no identified safety concerns with the use of Ervebo among contacts of confirmed cases during a Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.

READ ALSO: WHO raises alarm as DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak surpasses 3,600 cases

However, the experts stressed that the vaccine’s effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus disease and its ability to prevent transmission have not been established.

They therefore recommended that these questions be evaluated through clinical research.

WHO said a vaccine specifically developed against the Bundibugyo virus would remain the preferred option, although preliminary data on such candidates are currently unavailable.

The advisory group also emphasised the need to facilitate large-scale vaccine production and access if future evidence demonstrates sufficient efficacy to protect affected populations.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, has said there is no agreement between him, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume; and former governor Samuel Ortom to work for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in 2027.

Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General of the Federation was reacting to claims that he had an understanding to support Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2027.

A group known as the International Centre for Transparency Nigeria, ICTN, had claimed that the former Minister of Justice, Ortom, and the SGF had a pact to work for Atiku in 2027.

Responding, Aondoakaa described the ICTN as a faceless group, stressing that “there was no such meeting, agreement, negotiation or political arrangement involving himself and the other leaders as alleged.”

Aondoakaa said, “The report is built entirely on unverified allegations, the attempt to portray him as a political bridge between Chief Ortom, Senator Akume and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not only false but devoid of any factual foundation.

“Those making the allegation have failed to provide a single piece of evidence showing where such an arrangement was discussed, when it was reached or what role he supposedly played in it.

“The attempt to drag the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, into the concoction also does nothing to make the story more credible. Mentioning prominent names cannot transform fiction into fact.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no meeting or arrangement involving Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator George Akume to work for the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. No such arrangement exists.”