WHO adds two Ebola vaccine candidates to DRC trial
On 31 October, the World Health Organization announced that two additional Ebola vaccine candidates targeting the Bundibugyo strain would join the ongoing multi-vaccine trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a development reported on 5 November. The agency also urged continued public-health measures and the lifting of travel bans. Earlier, Africa CDC director-general Dr. Jean Kaseya called for greater international aid as confirmed cases in the DRC topped 10,000.
The Congolese Ministry of Health reported 5,026 deaths among 10,351 infections, making it the second deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Euronews noted that the strain has claimed more than 5,300 lives and spread to Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, with over 10,000 infections since May. The UK Health Security Agency assessed the risk of the outbreak reaching Britain as low, citing strict protocols.
