Ebola Outbreak Control Could Be Prolonged, WHO Evaluates Candidate Vaccines and Therapies
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on the 19th that the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could persist for a considerable time. The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain for which there is no vaccine or treatment, is suspected to have killed 131 people and infected over 500. The WHO has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and is evaluating candidate vaccines, including Ervebo, but supplies may not be available for at least two months.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 22:21
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(CNA Geneva, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) A World Health Organization official warned today that the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could persist for a considerable time. The WHO is evaluating whether there are candidate vaccines or treatments that can be used to contain the epidemic. The WHO stated today that it is assessing candidate vaccines or treatments to control the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which they believe could be prolonged. The WHO has classified this highly contagious hemorrhagic fever outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), with 131 deaths and over 500 infections currently suspected. Ancia said, "We are assessing at an international level what candidate vaccines or treatments are available and whether they can be useful in this outbreak." There are currently no vaccines or therapies available for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for this outbreak. Over the past half-century, the Ebola virus has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa. Existing vaccines are only effective against the Zaire strain, first discovered in 1976. Ancia stated that international experts currently indicate that the WHO-prequalified Zaire strain vaccine "cannot be used for the current prevention efforts." She said, "Of course, more research is needed in this area." She noted that the WHO's technical advisory group will meet today to "provide further recommendations on which potential vaccines should be prioritized." There are currently several candidate vaccines. Ancia said one of them, a vaccine called Ervebo, is being considered "in the hope of eventually providing additional prevention and protection to the local community." However, she also warned that the vaccine "will likely take at least another two months to be practically available." Nevertheless, she stressed that this is still helpful, because "I don't think this outbreak will be over in two months." The outbreak, declared on the 15th, is the 17th Ebola virus outbreak in the DRC, and officials have warned that the risk of spread is extremely high. The most severe Ebola outbreak in the DRC between 2018 and 2020 claimed nearly 2,300 lives.