By Abujah Racheal
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), has accelerated the development of three investigational vaccines targeting the deadly Bundibugyo ebola virus amid a rapidly spreading outbreak in Central Africa.
This is contained in a statement by CEPI on Monday in Oslo and made available to the Newsmen.
It said the vaccine being developed by IAVI, Moderna, and the University of Oxford in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, would be advanced toward clinical trials as quickly as possible.
The move comes as the outbreak, affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Uganda, record more than 900 suspected cases and over 220 suspected deaths, making it the third largest filovirus outbreak in history.
CEPI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Hatchett, said the absence of licenced vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain made urgent action critical.
”With Bundibugyo virus spreading rapidly and no licenced vaccines, every day counts in the race against this deadly disease,” he said.
Hatchett added that the organisation’s funding would help fast-track safe and effective vaccine options.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have already classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, respectively.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described CEPI’s intervention as a crucial step in strengthening the global response.
“A Bundibugyo vaccine can help control this epidemic and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks,” he said.
Similarly, Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, noted that the investment was vital not only for health security, but also for advancing Africa’s vaccine research and manufacturing capacity.
CEPI said that each of the three vaccines was based on different, validated technology platforms, including mRNA and viral vector systems, previously used against related viruses such as Zaire Ebola, Sudan virus and Marburg virus.
It said its funding would support pre-clinical studies and early-stage trials, with plans to move to large-scale trials and potential emergency use authorisation if initial results prove successful.
The organisation also emphasised equitable access, noting that any successful vaccine would be made rapidly available and affordable to affected countries.
Newsmen also reports that public health experts say the outbreak highlighted the urgent need for stronger epidemic preparedness systems, particularly in Africa, where emerging infectious diseases continue to pose significant threats.
The development also comes amid growing global concern over recurring outbreaks of high-risk pathogens, reinforcing calls for sustained investment in vaccine research and rapid-response infrastructure.
Newsmen also reports that Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal viral illness which spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated materials.
In the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there have been at least 246 suspected deaths and 17 confirmed deaths.
Two countries are currently affected: the DRC and neighbouring Uganda.
Regional breakdown shows that in the DRC, there are at least 1,077 suspected cases, including 246 suspected deaths and over 120 confirmed cases with 17 confirmed deaths, mainly reported in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
In Uganda, there are seven confirmed cases and one death, with infections linked to travel from the DRC.