RHU Provost and Professor of Microbiology, Dr. Mahmoud Halablab, in his interview today on Cairo News, highlighted concerns over the ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Unlike the more common Zaire strain, Bundibugyo Ebola has had only a few documented outbreaks and currently has no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
The outbreak was first detected following unexplained deaths in April 2026 and later confirmed after laboratory testing in Kinshasa, reflecting delays linked to remote locations and diagnostic challenges.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has resulted in approximately 750 suspected and confirmed cases and 177 deaths so far, prompting a high-level emergency response including enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and isolation measures.
Oxford University scientists are testing a new vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. If proven safe and effective, large-scale production will begin at the Serum Institute of India in the next couple of months to support outbreak response efforts.
Watch the video of the interview here.