Vaccine against rare Ebola strain could take months to prepare for trials
Kyiv • UNN
Development of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain will take months due to testing requirements. Hundreds of cases and deaths have been recorded in the DR Congo and Uganda.
The development of a vaccine against the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which caused an outbreak in Central Africa, could take many months before human trials begin. This was stated by Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Bloomberg reports, according to UNN.
Details
According to Hatchett, potential vaccines are at a very early stage of development. Additional laboratory research and animal testing must be conducted before human testing. The World Health Organization has already convened a technical group to identify priority vaccine candidates.
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Meanwhile, the outbreak situation is worsening. Democratic Republic of Congo Health Minister Roger Kamba reported more than 540 suspected Ebola cases and 136 deaths. Uganda has confirmed two cases of infection and one death. The WHO emphasizes that the Bundibugyo strain has neither an approved vaccine nor a specific treatment.
Doctors attempt to contain outbreak without a ready vaccine
An American missionary doctor who became infected during the outbreak has already been transported to Germany for treatment. He will be treated at Berlin's Charite clinic. At the same time, the WHO emphasizes that early treatment of symptoms can significantly increase survival chances even without specific drugs.
Bloomberg notes that potential vaccine developers under consideration include Oxford University, Moderna, Public Health Vaccines, and IAVI. Meanwhile, experts warn that using unproven vaccines without a sufficient scientific basis could undermine public trust, especially in regions with unstable security situations.