Ebola Vaccine Trial Begins in Democratic Republic of Congo
Source reports published 25 Oct 2026, 8:28 pm – 26 Oct 2026, 6:16 pm AEST
A vaccine trial against the Ebola virus has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak originated. Uganda has implemented a 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to confirmed cases in other countries.
What happened
- The Democratic Republic of Congo began a clinical trial of the Ervebo vaccine, developed by Merck & Co., to combat the Ebola outbreak.
- The first participant was vaccinated in Bunia on Friday.
- Simultaneously, Uganda imposed a 21-day quarantine on citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The Ugandan health ministry stated that this measure was implemented following the detection of Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria linked to individuals who had transited through Uganda.
- Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi indicated that only essential travellers from the Democratic Republic of Congo would be permitted entry, subject to intense public health measures.
- Concerns were raised regarding the spread of the virus after two individuals tested positive for Ebola following travel through Entebbe International Airport.
- The patient in Nigeria was a Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat, while the Kenyan patient had business interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- CCTV footage showed no physical interaction between the two patients.
- Uganda previously recorded 20 Ebola cases and two deaths following the outbreak's commencement, but was declared free of the disease by the World Health Organization in August.
Original reporting
- South China Morning Post: Congo begins Ebola vaccine trial despite embedded outbreak
2026-10-25T10:28:51+00:00 - BBC: Ebola outbreak: Uganda imposes 21-day quarantine on citizens returning from DR Congo
2026-10-26T08:16:56.047000+00:00