UK Scientists Racing to Develop New Ebola Vaccine as Outbreak Worsens

Scientists at Oxford University are developing a new vaccine that could be used within months to help tackle the Ebola emergency. The outbreak, centred on the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths.

The rare species of Ebola involved - known as Bundibugyo - kills around a third of those infected and has no proven vaccine yet. This current Ebola outbreak is challenging because it's caused by a rare species of the virus. There are six species of Ebola virus, but only three cause large outbreaks in people.

Prof Lambe, the Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, told BBC News: "Once we get starting material to them they can go fast and they can go big." The Serum Institute of India is lined up to mass produce the Ebola vaccine once Oxford can supply medical-grade material.

The vaccine uses the same technology the team developed during the Covid pandemic. It's a highly adjustable technology - known as ChAdOx1 - that can be quickly tweaked so it works against different infections. During the pandemic it was loaded with genetic code from the Covid-virus. This time it has been prepared with genetic code from the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.

The WHO says the vaccine could be available for use in clinical trials in two to three months. Lambe says speed is a priority: "People are worried about this outbreak, generally, you prepare for the worst case scenario - hopefully contact tracing and quarantine is all that's needed, but we can't take our foot off the gas."

The risk isn't just limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization has upgraded the risk from the current Ebola outbreak from "high" to "very high" in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the wider region the risk is now high, the WHO said in its update, but it remains low internationally.

Another experimental Bundibugyo vaccine is in development, but it's expected to take six to nine months for any dose of that to be ready for testing. Ebola vaccines won't be used en mass in the same way as during the Covid pandemic. Instead, they're used in a technique called ring vaccination - where only the people most likely to get infected are immunised, including the close contacts of cases of Ebola as well as healthcare workers who are treating sick patients who can be very infectious.

The Oxford research team had already been working on similar vaccines for the Sudan species of Ebola virus and Marburg virus. They're using a common cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees but has been genetically engineered to make it safe for people. Researchers use this modified cold virus to carry and deliver important genetic material about the Bundibugyo Ebola virus to cells, instructing them to recognise and fight off the actual disease.

The vaccine doesn't cause an infection or Ebola symptoms, but it trains the immune system to give protection. Animal testing is already under way in Oxford.

The impact of this outbreak on the people directly affected by it is significant. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been dealing with Ebola outbreaks for years, and this latest one is particularly challenging due to the rare species of the virus involved. The country's experience with Ebola outbreaks makes it clear that a vaccine is crucial in combating the outbreak.

“People are worried about this outbreak, generally, you prepare for the worst case scenario”

— hopefully contact tracing and quarantine is all that's needed, but we can't take our foot off the gas."

• Prof Lambe

As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that the development of a vaccine is crucial in combating the outbreak. The Oxford research team's work is a step in the right direction, but it's a complex and challenging process. The WHO's declaration of a public health emergency of international concern highlights the severity of the situation. The international community is taking the outbreak seriously, and it's a reminder of the importance of continued investment in medical research.

The next few months will be critical in determining the success of the vaccine and the outcome of the outbreak. The international community will be watching closely as the situation develops. It's a reminder of the importance of continued investment in medical research and the need for international cooperation in combating global health crises. The vaccine's potential impact on the people directly affected by the outbreak cannot be overstated.

If the vaccine is successful, it could save countless lives and help bring the outbreak under control. The Oxford research team's work is a testament to the power of medical research and the importance of continued innovation in the field. The team's dedication to finding a solution to the outbreak is evident in their work, and it's a crucial step in combating the outbreak.

The development of a vaccine for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola is a complex and challenging process, but it's a crucial step in combating the outbreak. The next few months will be critical in determining the success of the vaccine and the outcome of the outbreak. The international community is invested in the outcome, and it's a reminder of the importance of continued investment in medical research and the need for international cooperation in combating global health crises. The vaccine's success will depend on various factors, including the effectiveness of the vaccine and the international community's response to the outbreak.