NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Approximately 80 healthy adults will participate in the Phase 1 trial at three sites in Canada. The study will assess the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and ability to stimulate an immune response. It does not seek to establish whether the vaccine prevents Ebola infection. These early trials focus on safety and dosing before larger studies. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million for testing, manufacturing, and further research doses.
As of July 30, WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo. By that date, 651 patients had recovered. Updated figures on August 4 indicated cases exceeded 3,800 and deaths surpassed 1,700. Authorities identified infections in 49 health zones across five provinces. Ituri remains the epicenter, accounting for about 88% of confirmed cases.
Outbreak exposes the lack of an approved vaccine
The ongoing epidemic involves Bundibugyo ebolavirus, one of several species within the Ebola family. No approved vaccine or specific treatment targets this strain. Current licensed Ebola vaccines protect against Zaire ebolavirus, which causes a different form of the disease. Historically, Bundibugyo ebolavirus caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Since its discovery in 1976, researchers have documented 17 Ebola outbreaks in the region.
The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. Health teams have increased testing, contact tracing, treatment, and infection control measures in affected zones. By July 30, officials monitored 17,863 contacts. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among health workers, including 44 deaths. Conflict, population movements, and attacks on health facilities have made patient access difficult in many communities.
Other vaccine efforts progress alongside Moderna’s
This Moderna trial follows a Phase 1 study launched by the University of Oxford in the UK. The first dose of the Oxford vaccine was administered on July 24. That vaccine is based on the ChAdOx1 platform, while Moderna’s candidate uses messenger RNA technology. The Serum Institute of India produced the Oxford vaccine, creating a stockpile of around 620,000 doses, including 4,000 investigational doses for research purposes.
Both programs are supported by CEPI, which aims to develop vaccines against Bundibugyo Ebola. The organization also backs two candidates using recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One was developed by IAVI with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories. The other was developed by Public Health Vaccines. Neither has received approval for public use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement remain crucial in controlling the outbreak.