UK scientists developing new Ebola vaccine that could be ready in months
Summary
Scientists at Oxford University are creating a new vaccine to fight the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The vaccine could be ready for testing in two to three months, aiming to protect against a rare Ebola species called Bundibugyo, which has no proven vaccine yet.Key Facts
- The current Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has about 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths.
- The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which kills about one-third of people infected.
- There is no existing vaccine proven to work against Bundibugyo Ebola.
- Oxford scientists are using a vaccine technology first developed for Covid that uses a harmless chimpanzee cold virus to train the immune system.
- Animal testing is already happening, and the Serum Institute of India will mass produce the vaccine once ready.
- The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern but said it is not a pandemic.
- Ebola vaccines are given using ring vaccination, which means only people exposed or at high risk are vaccinated.
- Another experimental vaccine for Bundibugyo is in development but may take six to nine months before it can be tested.
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