A Tumaini trial of Ebola vaccines in the Bundibugyo outbreak in Congo began Friday in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, Forbes and AFP reported.

Ervebo from Merck, already licensed for the Zaire Ebola strain, was the first shot given to test whether it offers any cross-protection against Bundibugyo, AFP said. Tumaini means hope in Swahili, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, as carried by AFP. The trial uses ring vaccination of high-risk contacts and can test more than one vaccine in one framework, AFP reported. Forbes said candidates from Moderna and from Oxford with the Serum Institute of India are also in the plan. Pregnant women and children aged 12 and older are included, AFP said.

Forbes, in an October 23 report, said there have been more than 9,700 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths, with 482 of those deaths in the prior two weeks. AFP, published early October 24, said the outbreak had passed the 9,700-case mark and that deaths exceeded 4,600. A partner institute said in an October 23 release that as of October 21 the DRC had 9,552 cases and 4,602 deaths. NewsHabit is treating Forbes and AFP as the counted outlets. The dated partner figures are background.

There is no approved vaccine for Bundibugyo, AFP and Forbes said. The DRC declared the outbreak on May 15, AFP reported. WHO emergencies director Chikwe Ihekweazu said the trial aims to show whether the shots can protect people at risk, AFP reported. Congo response lead Steve Ahuka-Mundeke called bringing the trial into the response an important step, AFP said.

What we know: Tumaini began Friday in Bunia with Ervebo, and Forbes and AFP put cases above 9,700 with deaths above 4,600.
What we don't: Whether any of the trial vaccines will show protection against Bundibugyo in this outbreak.