WHO approves trials of two Ebola vaccines as outbreak kills over 5,300
The World Health Organization said it approved clinical trials for two vaccine candidates against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on 4 November, as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo had already caused more than 5,300 deaths. WHO also urged continued public-health measures and the lifting of travel bans. Health authorities in the Congo reported over 10,000 infections since May, with a death toll exceeding 5,300, making it the second deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. The virus spread to neighboring Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, raising regional concerns.
Africa CDC director-general Dr. Jean Kaseya called for greater international aid, highlighting Canada’s contributions. The UK Health Security Agency assessed the risk of spread to Britain as low.
