Vasee Moorthy, Acting Lead of WHO's R&D Blueprint, said research has advanced more quickly than in previous Ebola outbreaks because trial protocols had already been prepared before the current outbreak was declared in mid-May.

He noted that there are still no proven safe and effective treatments, preventive measures or vaccines specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain, and that it will likely take several months before definitive conclusions can be drawn from the ongoing studies.

A Phase One vaccine trial began in the United Kingdom on 24 July, while another is expected to start in Canada in the coming days. The studies are currently being conducted on animal models, with WHO to determine whether they should progress to the next phase.

WHO is also reviewing new animal study data on the licensed Ervebo vaccine, which targets a different Ebola strain, with recommendations from its technical advisory group expected later this week.

As of 1 August, WHO reported 3,748 cases, including 1,657 deaths and 708 recoveries, marking the largest recorded outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.