UK Scientists Develop New Ebola Vaccine As Congo Outbreak Triggers Global Health Concern

UK Scientists Develop New Ebola Vaccine As Congo Outbreak Triggers Global Health Concern

Scientists at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom are racing to develop a new Ebola vaccine that could be ready within months as the deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to worsen.

The experimental vaccine is specifically targeting the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain, a dangerous species of the virus that currently has no approved vaccine or dedicated treatment.

According to health authorities, the outbreak in Congo has already led to about 750 suspected infections and 177 deaths, while cases have also reportedly spread into neighbouring Uganda, raising fears of wider regional transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now upgraded the national risk level in Congo from “high” to “very high” and declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, although officials stressed that the situation is not yet considered a pandemic.

Scientists at Oxford University say they are accelerating vaccine development efforts in preparation for a possible escalation of the outbreak.

The vaccine is being developed using the same adaptable ChAdOx1 technology that powered the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine during the coronavirus pandemic.

Researchers explained that the technology uses a harmless modified virus derived from a chimpanzee cold virus to safely deliver genetic instructions to the human immune system.

READ ALSO:

• Fayemi Reveals How He Convinced Peter Obi To Greet Tinubu At Vatican
• APC Names Fubara, Other Governors As Coordinators For Presidential Primary
• MURIC Congratulates Hamzat, Other Successful Candidates Across Party Primaries

This time, scientists inserted genetic material from the Bundibugyo Ebola virus so the immune system can recognise and fight the infection if exposed later.

Experts say the vaccine itself cannot cause Ebola infection or symptoms but is designed to prepare the body’s immune defences against the virus.

Oxford University confirmed that the vaccine, known as ChAdOx1 BDBV, is being developed in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers.

The Serum Institute is expected to mass-produce doses once Oxford scientists provide medical-grade materials for manufacturing.

Animal testing is already underway in Oxford as researchers simultaneously prepare for possible human clinical trials.

According to the WHO, the vaccine could be ready for early clinical testing within two to three months if development progresses successfully.

Professor Teresa Lambe, Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, said scientists are moving quickly while still maintaining scientific and ethical standards.

“My hope is that this outbreak can be brought under control quickly and that vaccines are ultimately not needed. Nevertheless, our team and partners will continue working to ensure that potential vaccine options are available if they are needed,” she said.

Lambe also stressed the importance of preparing for the worst-case scenario.

“People are worried about this outbreak. Hopefully, contact tracing and quarantine will be enough, but we cannot take our foot off the gas,” she added.

Health experts say the Bundibugyo Ebola strain kills between 30 and 40 percent of infected patients, making it particularly dangerous because no licensed vaccine currently exists for it.

The virus was first identified in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district in 2007 before resurfacing in Congo years later.

Symptoms of Ebola include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, bleeding and organ failure in severe cases.

In addition to vaccine development, global health authorities are intensifying contact tracing, isolation measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent further spread of the disease.

The outbreak has reignited international concerns over emerging infectious diseases and the need for rapid vaccine production capabilities following lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UK Scientists Develop New Ebola Vaccine As Congo Outbreak Triggers Global Health Concern