Africa CDC Explains Lack of Vaccine for Current Ebola Outbreak

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has explained that the absence of an approved vaccine for the current Ebola outbreak is linked to the lack of adequate investment and attention to diseases affecting Africa.

The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, arguing that vaccine development would receive greater urgency if the outbreak affected Western countries.

Bundibugyo Strain Has No Approved Vaccine

According to the report, the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola strain for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Kaseya explained that this differs from the Ebola strain responsible for the 2014–2016 West African epidemic, for which the Ervebo vaccine was later licensed.

He said the Africa CDC had initiated clinical trials of new vaccine candidates, including a Bundibugyo vaccine manufactured in Egypt, as efforts continue to address the outbreak.

Outbreak Raises Regional Concerns

Kaseya described the outbreak as exceptionally widespread, with the report citing more than 9,500 infections and approximately 4,600 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone.

Nigeria confirmed its first case on Tuesday involving a woman who arrived from Uganda on October 3. The report added that 44 contacts were being monitored following the confirmation.

The absence of an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain highlights the need for continued research, clinical trials and coordinated public health measures to contain the outbreak and protect affected communities.

Daily Post