The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that all candidate treatments and vaccines for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a rare strain of Ebola, should be administered strictly within clinical trial settings to ensure safety, ethical standards, and reliable scientific evaluation.
The decision follows ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with additional reported cases in Uganda, prompting intensified global health coordination and research efforts.
According to WHO, there are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for the prevention or treatment of BVD. However, several promising candidates have been identified and prioritised for clinical evaluation.
Among the leading treatment options under review are the monoclonal antibodies MBP134 and Maftivimab, as well as the antiviral drug remdesivir. Experts also recommend evaluating combination therapy approaches within controlled research environments.
For prevention, the oral antiviral obeldesivir has been highlighted as a key candidate for post-exposure prophylaxis, particularly among individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases. However, WHO noted that its effectiveness depends heavily on strong contact tracing systems, which remain challenging in some affected regions.
On vaccine development, the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative is considered the most promising candidate but is still months away from clinical trial readiness. Another candidate, ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo, developed through collaboration between Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India, could be available sooner for efficacy testing pending further data.
WHO also clarified that the existing licensed Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, is not approved for Bundibugyo virus disease and should only be used in carefully controlled research settings due to limited evidence of cross-protection.
Health authorities, including WHO, African CDC, and national governments, are now working to establish clinical trial protocols while continuing frontline outbreak response measures such as surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and safe burials to contain the spread of the disease.
