Ebola remains a significant concern as an ongoing outbreak in Africa is reported to be among the most serious the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has encountered. Nicole Lurie, executive director for preparedness and response at CEPI, stated, "Other than Covid, which affected the whole world, this is the thing that has frightened me the most."
According to government data compiled by the World Health Organization, more than 7,000 individuals have contracted the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since May, with approximately half of those infected resulting in death. Lurie described this outbreak as the most rapidly growing Ebola situation observed, indicating it could potentially be the worst in history.
Health officials successfully contained an outbreak in Uganda through measures such as contact tracing and isolation; however, ongoing violence in the DRC has complicated these efforts, leading to an increase in cases. Millions have been displaced due to instability, making contact tracing challenging. Additionally, there is a noted distrust of external humanitarian workers, which has resulted in attacks on Red Cross volunteers and destruction of medical supplies.
Lurie emphasized the necessity of a vaccine to control the outbreak, stating, "I don’t think we’re going to be able to bring this to an end without a vaccine." Following the initial cases reported in May, CEPI redirected $100 million to develop a vaccine, funding scientists at the Serum Institute of India to produce doses of the Oxford University’s ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine. This vaccine, along with a candidate from Moderna, has entered safety trials, with efficacy trials expected to commence soon.
Despite the focus on vaccination as a key strategy, challenges remain regarding vaccine acceptance in affected communities. Teresa Lambe, a professor involved in the Oxford vaccine trials, expressed concerns about vaccine distrust.
Global health organizations have faced staffing shortages, exacerbated by the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization and cuts to foreign aid during the Trump administration. Emily Hillard, press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, stated that CDC teams are enhancing preparedness in the region through various support activities.
In June, the US government allocated $50 million to assist CEPI's efforts against the Bundibugyo outbreak, but Lurie warned that funding for the Ebola program may run out by December without additional support. CEPI was established in 2017 to accelerate vaccine development for epidemics, following the extensive Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016 that resulted in over 11,000 deaths. Lurie, who previously worked in the Obama administration during the West Africa Ebola epidemic, recalled the panic and costs associated with managing the outbreak in the US, stating, "I don’t think anybody really wants to go through that again."