Ebola cases cross 3,200 as Bundibugyo outbreak spreads to Uganda, vaccine trial underway

What the report says

The Federal reported on July 28 that an Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus has surpassed 3,200 cases, citing World Health Organization figures and reports from other outlets. The outbreak is said to have begun in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 2026 and has expanded across multiple provinces, with cases now reported in neighbouring Uganda.

According to the article, WHO data showed 3,200 cases by July 25, up from 2,344 a week earlier, while deaths had risen to 1,405. The Federal, citing other media reports, said about 90% of infections were associated with Ituri province in northeastern DRC, a border area near Uganda and South Sudan. The report described the outbreak as one of the largest recorded Ebola events.

The article said the situation is especially challenging because there is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the uncommon Bundibugyo strain. However, it reported that the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has cleared the first human trial of a vaccine designed for this strain, and that Oxford University has begun giving experimental doses to an initial volunteer group.

For context, The Federal noted WHO guidance that Ebola disease is often severe and can be fatal, with three viruses — Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus — known to cause large outbreaks. The reported cross-border spread and the launch of a strain-specific vaccine trial are the key developments, though the vaccine remains experimental and the article did not report any trial results.