Urgent Need for New Vaccines Highlighted by Ebola Emergency

Epidemiologists urgently call for the development of vaccines targeting various deadly viruses, particularly in light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. While the risk of a global Ebola pandemic remains low, this situation illuminates the severe impact of funding cuts to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In early 2025, the United States reduced its funding to WHO, forcing the agency to implement significant budget cuts for 2026/27. Adrian Esterman from the University of Adelaide states, “WHO is severely underfunded and has had to lay off many staff. The U.S. withdrawal from WHO was akin to a disaster.”

The WHO officially identified the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 5, with subsequent cases now reported in Uganda.

According to WHO, “The initial suspected case, a healthcare worker, showed symptoms starting April 24, 2026, which included fever, bleeding, vomiting, and severe fatigue.” On May 17, the organization characterized the crises in the DRC and Uganda as public health emergencies of international concern.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that as of May 17, there were 336 suspected cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Bundibugyo, leading to related fatalities. The Bundibugyo strain has a known mortality rate of 20-50%.

There are currently two vaccines approved for the Zaire Ebola virus, the strain responsible for major outbreaks with a mortality rate of up to 90%. Although no vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo virus yet, ongoing research, including promising trials, is underway. WHO emphasizes urgent containment measures to curb the spread of the Bundibugyo virus.

In January, Oxford University announced its collaboration with Moderna to develop vaccines targeting multiple filoviruses, including Bundibugyo, other Ebola strains, and Marburg virus.

Esterman underscores that, in light of the current crisis, these efforts must be accelerated. “This outbreak reinforces the need for fast-tracking vaccine development,” he asserts. “Bundibugyo has been known for nearly 20 years, but viable vaccine options remain absent. This outbreak highlights the significant costs of this gap.”

He advocates for a multivalent vaccine development program encompassing all known filovirus species, stating that it “should not be subject to bureaucratic obstacles.” “Accelerated timelines do not require compromising safety, but we can expedite trials and increase funding,” Esterman adds.

According to Raina McIntyre from the University of New South Wales, vaccine research has predominantly targeted the Zaire strain. However, mRNA technology enhances the potential to develop vaccines against filoviruses like Bundibugyo “very rapidly.”

McIntyre explains that the absence of vaccines for these filoviruses stems from the economics of drug development. “Ebola primarily affects low-income countries, and 90% of drug development focuses on conditions prevalent in high-income nations,” she notes.

While Ebola does not transmit as easily as diseases like SARS-CoV-2, McIntyre indicates the possibility of isolated “low-risk, high-outcome” cases in affluent countries due to travel from affected regions. “Emergency departments worldwide should inquire about travel history to Central Africa for patients with a fever to ensure proper isolation protocols are initiated,” she advises.

“Individuals not confirmed to have traveled to outbreak zones might be subject to lengthy waiting periods before receiving care, which could inadvertently expose others to infection.”