African health authorities, led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), announced plans to use a vaccine originally developed for the Zaire ebolavirus strain to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the different and rapidly spreading Bundibugyo strain in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, told reporters in a videoconference on Thursday, August 6th, 2026, that test cases indicate the vaccine has been effective in eliminating deaths, if not symptoms, among vaccinated individuals. "We saw zero deaths among people who are vaccinated," Kaseya said.

The outbreak has escalated significantly, with cases now reported in 51 health zones compared to just nine in May. Authorities estimate approximately 4,000 cases have been confirmed, up from 3,973 as of the latest data available on Tuesday.

Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) plan to conduct studies to investigate whether the virus is mutating or if other factors are contributing to the unprecedented severity and rapid spread of this Bundibugyo outbreak, which is spreading six to eight times faster than any previous Ebola outbreak on record.

Kaseya made these remarks from Brazzaville in the neighboring Republic of Congo, following a meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Kinshasa the day before. Kaseya quoted Tedros saying, "It's time for the WHO and Africa CDC to conduct studies to check that there is no issue, additional issue, or maybe if the virus is not mutating, because the level of severity of this Bundibugyo outbreak is unprecedented."

For context, during the most virulent and deadly Ebola outbreak on record—the Zaire strain outbreak in DRC between 2018 and 2020—one patient was identified from every 57 contacts at risk. That outbreak recorded 20 cases with only two deaths.

Sources