World
First volunteer receives experimental vaccine against Bundibugyo ebola in Oxford trial
A first volunteer has been injected with an experimental vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of ebola in Oxford, England, as scientists race to contain an outbreak that has killed over 1,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
- The vaccine targets the Bundibugyo variant, for which no approved vaccine currently exists.
- The current outbreak has caused over 2,500 cases and more than 1,000 deaths since late April.
- 600,000 doses are pre-manufactured, awaiting trial results and regulatory approval.
The trial, conducted at the University of Oxford, marks the first time a vaccine against this ebola variant has reached human testing. Fifty healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 will receive the injection to assess safety, without being exposed to the virus. Researchers will monitor antibody development to gauge protection.
Later, the vaccine will also be administered to people in Congo. Three other vaccines are in development, but the Oxford candidate is the first to enter this trial phase. Since late April, more than 2,500 ebola cases have been reported in Congo and neighboring Uganda, with over 1,000 deaths. In anticipation of approval, 600,000 doses have already been produced, ready for deployment if the vaccine proves safe and effective.
Source: NOS