WHO trials Ebola vaccine against new strain in DRC and Uganda

theconversation.com

The World Health Organization has recommended trialling the Ervebo Ebola vaccine against the current Bundibugyo species outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, despite the vaccine being originally designed for the Zaire species. The outbreak has 4,402 confirmed cases and 2,013 deaths as of August 9. The current outbreak is the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record, with 75-100 new cases daily and no licensed vaccine for the Bundibugyo species. Public health measures are the only current control method, but armed conflict and attacks on treatment centres in the DRC are hampering efforts. Animal studies and human antibody research suggest Ervebo may offer partial protection against Bundibugyo, though real-world effectiveness remains unknown. Clinical trials could determine if it reduces deaths and transmission while purpose-built vaccines are developed.


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