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As health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to battle an ongoing Ebola outbreak, scientists around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against the strain of the virus that’s causing it.
Two approved vaccines exist for Ebola, but they target the Zaire strain of the virus, not the Bundibugyo strain causing the 2026 outbreak – which has so far killed 61 people, with 359 confirmed cases in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda.
The outbreak is centred in the Ituri province of northeastern DRC, where conflict, displaced people, a large migrant community and poorly resourced health facilities make stopping the spread particularly challenging.
In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we speak to two scientists from the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, Teresa Lambe and Rebecca Makinson, who are developing a vaccine candidate for Bundibugyo virus.
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An Ebola victim is prepared for burial in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the ongoing outbreak.
EPA
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola causing the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo currently has no vaccine. The Conversation Weekly podcast speaks to two researchers working to develop one.
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Paul Griffin, The University of Queensland
There is no approved vaccine to curb the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. But new funding offers hope.
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Chloe Heys, University of Lancashire; Kevin Arbuckle, Swansea University; Matilda Brindle, University of Oxford
Some bird keepers have tried to drug their animals to stop them engaging in solo sex.
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Kirk Bowman, Georgia Institute of Technology
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Keyvan Hosseini, University of Southampton; Dawn-Marie Walker, University of Southampton
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Radostina Purvanova, Drake University; Alanah Mitchell, Drake University
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Andrew Latham, Macalester College
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Keith Martin, Royal Holloway, University of London; Briana Bowen, Royal Holloway, University of London
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Christian B. Miller, Wake Forest University
Patience is a virtue that researchers have linked to many parts of well-being. But it’s also something that needs a bit of practice and training – and can be undermined by instant, easy gratification.
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