{
  "id": 16047453,
  "title": "Why latest Ebola strain has no approved vaccine — Africa CDC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/why-latest-ebola-strain-has-no-approved-vaccine-africa-cdc-16047453",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-22T13:26:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/why-latest-ebola-strain-has-no-approved-vaccine-africa-cdc/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, has criticized the lack of international interest in the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has resulted in the absence of an approved vaccine. Kaseya stated that if the outbreak had occurred in Western countries, a vaccine would already be available. The Bundibugyo strain has caused fewer outbreaks compared to the Zaire strain, which has been responsible for over 16 outbreaks.\n\nKaseya attributed the lack of vaccine development to some partners who considered the issue as an African problem and showed little interest. He revealed that an African manufacturer in Egypt is currently conducting clinical trials of a potential vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain. The Africa CDC is also collaborating with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to make the Ervebo vaccine, which was developed for the Zaire strain, available for clinical trials and compassionate use.\n\nThe Africa CDC's response to the gap in vaccine development is part of a broader effort to prevent Africa from being left behind in the production of vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tools. Kaseya emphasized that Africa has the knowledge, intelligence, and capacity to manufacture vaccines and urged for a change in how the continent prepares for public health emergencies. This includes increasing local vaccine manufacturing, improving coordination among international partners, and enhancing domestic funding.\n\n28 African countries have contributed funds towards the response to the outbreak, which Kaseya described as a significant step towards changing perceptions of financing health emergencies in Africa. He highlighted that this was the first time he had seen such a high level of participation from African countries. Kaseya concluded by stating that the outbreak should lead to lasting changes, ensuring that future outbreaks like Bundibugyo will not be as severe as they were previously.",
  "summary": "The Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo Ebola strain lacks an approved vaccine due to a lack of international interest because it is seen as an ‘African issue’. Read More: https://punchng.com/why-latest-ebola-strain-has-no-approved-vaccine-africa-cdc/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Capital FM Kenya",
        "title": "PS Oluga calls for coordinated approach to Ebola response",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/ps-oluga-calls-for-coordinated-approach-to-ebola-response",
        "published": "2026-10-21T14:18:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Medical Xpress",
        "title": "What to know about the Ebola outbreak that has spread from Congo to 4 other countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/what-to-know-about-the-ebola-outbreak-that-has-spread-from-congo-to-4",
        "published": "2026-10-22T09:20:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Ebola: Nigerians link outbreak to government’s 2027 election plans",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/ebola-nigerians-link-outbreak-to-governments-2027-election-plans",
        "published": "2026-10-22T11:01:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "No vaccine for current Ebola outbreak - Africa CDC gives shocking reason",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/no-vaccine-for-current-ebola-outbreak-africa-cdc-gives-shocking-reason",
        "published": "2026-10-22T11:31:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Africa CDC calls emergency summit as Ebola spreads from Congo to four other countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/africa-cdc-calls-emergency-summit-as-ebola-spreads-from-congo-to-four",
        "published": "2026-10-22T11:35:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}