What is Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD)?

Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) is one of three types of Ebola disease known to cause large outbreaks. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus — not the same type as the outbreaks in West Africa (2014–2016) or recent DRC outbreaks caused by Zaire Ebola.

This distinction matters for one critical reason:

The approved Ebola vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV) was designed for Zaire Ebola. There is currently NO evidence it protects against BVD. There are also currently NO licensed medicines proven to treat BVD specifically.