A health worker sprays disinfectant in a freshly dug grave for the body of Jacques Lobo Dhena, who died of Ebola, in Bunia, Ituri province, eastern Congo, on August 12, 2026. (Photo: AP/Dieudonne Dirole)
A health worker sprays disinfectant in a freshly dug grave for the body of Jacques Lobo Dhena, who died of Ebola, in Bunia, Ituri province, eastern Congo, on August 12, 2026. (Photo: AP/Dieudonne Dirole)

"At its current pace", the 2026 would "eclipse" that of the 2014-2016 occurrence in West Africa, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Vaccine development is being accelerated. For the first time, two vaccines specifically designed against Ebola Bundibugyo virus have now entered phase one safety trials in humans. In addition, two new animal studies of the vaccine against Zaire Ebola virus – the more common species – have shown promising evidence of cross protection in animals.

The WHO has recommended a Phase III trial of the vaccines to test their real-world efficacy and make them available at the earliest date. In addition, the WHO-funded PARTNERS clinical trial has now reached the milestone of hundred patients.