Congo-Kinshasa: Two Scientists On Their Race to Make a New Ebola Vaccine
Scientists are working to develop a new Ebola vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain amid an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak has resulted in 61 deaths and 359 confirmed cases, complicating efforts due to local challenges. Researchers from the Oxford Vaccine Group are utilizing a viral-vector platform to expedite the vaccine's development and testing process.
- ▪The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which is not covered by existing vaccines.
- ▪The Oxford Vaccine Group is developing a vaccine candidate using the ChADOx1 platform, similar to the one used for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
- ▪They have begun testing the vaccine on small animals and are manufacturing batches for upcoming clinical trials.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
As health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to battle an ongoing Ebola outbreak, scientists around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against the strain of the virus that's causing it. Two approved vaccines exist for Ebola, but they target the Zaire strain of the virus, not the Bundibugyo strain causing the 2026 outbreak - which has so far killed 61 people, with 359 confirmed cases in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda. The outbreak is centred in the Ituri province of northeastern DRC, where conflict, displaced people, a large migrant community and poorly resourced health facilities make stopping the spread particularly challenging.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at AllAfrica.
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