Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 24
WHO Readies 2-Drug Bundibugyo Trial in DRC as Cases Reach 1,094
Updated
Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 24
WHO Readies 2-Drug Bundibugyo Trial in DRC as Cases Reach 1,094
3 articles · Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 24
Summary
Preparations are complete for a DRC trial of MBP134 and remdesivir, with WHO expecting enrollment to begin next week to test whether the antivirals can cut Bundibugyo virus mortality alone or in combination.
More than 100 patients have recovered, but WHO said therapeutics could save more lives as the outbreak still outpaces the response, with 1,094 confirmed cases and 277 deaths in DRC.
Treatment capacity has expanded from fewer than 10 beds to more than 500 across 19 health centres, while lab testing rose from 30 a day in Kinshasa to more than 2,000 a day in nine labs.
Uganda has recorded 20 linked cases and two deaths, and France reported an infected ALIMA health worker returning from DRC, underscoring risks to responders after nearly 80 health workers were infected.
WHO said contact tracing, burial capacity, health-system strain, border closures, insecurity and funding gaps still threaten control efforts, with a $518 million Africa preparedness plan awaiting updated pledge data next week.
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2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak: Case Trends, Response Barriers, and Urgent Need for Vaccines
Overview
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Eastern DRC remains a major challenge due to ongoing humanitarian crises and decades of armed conflict, making the region highly vulnerable to disease spread. International concern has grown, with suspected cases reported in Israel after travel from the DRC. Response efforts are severely hampered by insecurity and logistical barriers, while the fragile health system struggles to cope. Despite these obstacles, improvements in testing capacity have been noted. The situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated global action, robust community engagement, and sustained investment to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.