The advisory groups concluded that all identified candidate products should be used exclusively within clinical trials. The recommendation is aimed at generating reliable data while ensuring that research is conducted safely and ethically.

WHO brought together its Research and Development Blueprint technical advisory groups, as well as the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation and its Ebola vaccine working group, to evaluate available options for both prevention and treatment.

WHO confirmed that there are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain. However, several candidate products have been identified as suitable for further evaluation through clinical trials.

The organisation said it is working with authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to facilitate the implementation of these trials.

For treatment, experts recommended prioritising three candidate therapeutics for clinical trials among confirmed cases:

• The monoclonal antibodies MBP134 and Maftivimab®
• The antiviral remdesivir

The use of combination therapy involving a monoclonal antibody and remdesivir is also being considered for evaluation.

For prevention, experts identified several approaches for assessment:

• The oral antiviral obeldesivir has been prioritised for post-exposure prophylaxis among contacts of confirmed and probable cases. This approach depends on effective contact tracing, which has been challenging in some affected areas.
• The most promising vaccine candidate is the single-dose rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine, currently under development. It may take seven to nine months before it is ready for clinical trials.
• Another vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo, could be available for evaluation within two to three months, although further data is still required to confirm its prioritisation. Experts noted that a single-dose approach could be used for contacts, while a two-dose strategy could be considered for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers.

Experts also reviewed the use of Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine. WHO stated that it is not approved for the Bundibugyo strain and that evidence of its effectiveness against this variant remains limited.

WHO recommended that Ervebo should only be used within carefully designed research settings to assess its potential effectiveness.

WHO said all clinical trials must meet the highest ethical standards and be conducted under the leadership of national health authorities, with the involvement of affected communities.

The organisation is working with partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and research institutions, to develop protocols for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of these candidate products.

While research is underway, WHO emphasised that current efforts remain focused on controlling the outbreak using established methods. These include:

• Disease surveillance
• Rapid testing and diagnosis
• Contact tracing
• Isolation and treatment of patients
• Infection prevention and control
• Community engagement
• Safe and dignified burials

WHO also called for improved access to essential supplies and stronger community engagement to support outbreak response efforts. The organisation said coordinated investment in research and development is essential to accelerate the availability of effective countermeasures for the Bundibugyo virus.

–WHO/ChannelAfrica–