Clinical trial of Ebola vaccine starts in the DRC

The first clinical trial of a new Ebola vaccine has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the virus has claimed over 4,600 lives. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country, with more than 9,700 cases reported. The trial aims to assess whether the Ervebo vaccine, already approved for the Zaire strain, provides cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain. The trial, named Tumaini, started in Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak. Future phases will include two additional vaccine candidates targeting the Bundibugyo strain, funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. Meanwhile, Kenya has reported its second Ebola death amid rising cases.