British scientists are rapidly developing an Ebola vaccine, utilizing the same technology as AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, in response to a growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighboring areas.
The Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) is leading this initiative, applying a platform that was introduced in 2020.
Manufacturers anticipate that the vaccine will be ready for clinical trials in two to three months, intending to fast-track its use once it receives approval. The current outbreak has reportedly resulted in over 204 suspected deaths and more than 870 suspected infections.
This outbreak is due to a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, for which no vaccine currently exists. With 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths, it is one of the most significant outbreaks on record.
Professor Teresa Lambe, the Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at OVG, shared updates about ongoing efforts:
I’m hopeful that this epidemic can be controlled swiftly and that vaccines might not be needed in the end.
Still, our team and partners are dedicated to providing possible vaccine solutions.
The ability to respond rapidly in these scenarios comes from years of research and strong partnerships globally.
The new vaccine leverages the same technology used in the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
This vaccine technology, known as ChAdOx1, employs a harmless, genetically modified version of a cold virus that typically infects chimpanzees.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
On Friday, they escalated the public health risk in the DRC from “high” to “very high.”
In the meantime, the DRC has halted all commercial flights to and from Bunia, the regional capital in Ituri, where the majority of cases and fatalities have been reported, in an effort to limit cross-border transmission.
“Only humanitarian, medical, and emergency flights will be allowed with special approval from aviation and health authorities,” stated the country’s transport ministry.
Ebola was first identified in 1976 in what is now the DRC and is believed to have originated from bats.
This disease is rare, highly contagious, and commonly transmitted through bodily fluids, often leading to fatal outcomes.
Symptoms include high fever, extreme fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and bleeding.
