Moderna begins human testing of a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine during the DR Congo outbreak. The research will be conducted at three sites in Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults. Researchers aim to evaluate the vaccine’s safety profile, tolerability, and its capacity to generate an immune response. Since Phase 1 trials primarily focus on early safety data, the study will not establish whether the vaccine prevents infection. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has allocated up to $50 million to support preclinical development, the trial itself, and the production of additional research doses. WHO documented 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 fatalities in DR Congo through July 30. By that date, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated figures provided by CEPI on August 4 reported infection numbers exceeding 3,800 and deaths surpassing 1,700. The outbreak affected 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Of these, 33 zones had recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases. Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. It marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo strain, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. No licensed vaccine or