An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is "spreading rapidly," according to the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The outbreak involves a rare species of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which kills around a third of those infected and currently has no proven vaccine.
UK scientists are developing a new vaccine that could be ready for trials within months. The vaccine is being developed by the Oxford Vaccine Group and uses the same technology behind the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
The Bundibugyo Ebola species involved in this outbreak is one of several known Ebola virus types. According to BBC reporting, approximately one-third of individuals infected with Bundibugyo Ebola die from the disease. Unlike other Ebola strains that have existing vaccine options, Bundibugyo currently has no approved vaccine.
The WHO director-general's assessment that the outbreak is "spreading rapidly" underscores the urgency of the vaccine development effort. The Oxford Vaccine Group's work builds on established vaccine technology, leveraging the same platform that was utilized in the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine development.
Scientists have indicated the vaccine candidate could reach clinical trial stages in the coming months, though the timeline for broader availability remains dependent on trial outcomes and regulatory processes. The development effort represents a response to an ongoing public health situation in the DRC, where health authorities are working to contain the spread of the virus.
The current outbreak highlights the continued threat posed by Ebola variants and the importance of vaccine development for strains that lack existing medical countermeasures.
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