The United States has announced its intention to allocate $50 million to support the development of medical countermeasures against the "Bundibugyo" strain of the Ebola virus, which is linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of its efforts to contain the epidemic and strengthen the health response in the region.
The US Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the funding will be provided, in coordination with Congress, to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), with the aim of supporting laboratory research, clinical trials, and the manufacture of candidate countermeasures against the current strain of the virus.
The ministry affirmed that developing safe and effective medical countermeasures represents a critical tool within the rapid and coordinated response led by the United States to protect its citizens and support communities affected by the outbreak.