Ebola outbreak: When will a vaccine be developed for the new strain?

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the latest outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The strain, which has a fatality rate of up to 50 percent, has caused 131 deaths and 513 suspected cases, with 26 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. The outbreak is centered in DRC’s northeastern Ituri province, near borders with Uganda and South Sudan, and has spread over 200 kilometers from the epicenter, including into neighboring provinces and Uganda. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba confirmed the toll, while Uganda reported one death and two infections, with over 120 people quarantined. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the epidemic’s scale and speed, emphasizing the need for urgent action. The Bundibugyo strain differs from the Zaire strain responsible for the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which killed over 11,000 people. Fear has spread across DRC and Uganda, with residents in cities like Bukavu and Kinshasa wearing masks and demanding stronger protections. A motorbike driver in DRC expressed fear of transmitting the virus to his family, while street vendor Marie Evuto highlighted the risks of close contact with unknown individuals. The WHO has yet to approve a vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, complicating containment efforts. The outbreak’s proximity to gold-mining hubs and cross-border movement increases transmission risks. Uganda’s government spokesperson, Alan Kasujja, expressed confidence in controlling the spread, though the situation remains fluid. The WHO’s emergency committee is set to meet as the death toll rises, signaling escalating concern over the outbreak’s potential global impact.