UK scientists developing new Ebola vaccine that could be ready in months

Lead

Scientists at the University of Oxford are developing a new vaccine against the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is driving an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda. The vaccine uses the ChAdOx1 viral-vector platform, the same technology that formed the basis of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, and could be ready for clinical trials within two to three months.

The outbreak has already claimed dozens of lives, with reports of 61 deaths and 359 confirmed cases across the two countries, according to figures cited by the Jerusalem Post and The Conversation Weekly podcast. Africa News reports that the strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, and that public anger and suspicion towards aid workers, as well as attacks on healthcare facilities, are complicating the response.

Coverage comparison

Coverage of the outbreak and vaccine development has been consistent across multiple outlets. ABC Australia reports that several non-profit organisations are working on vaccine development, with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) providing funding. Africa News takes a more urgent tone, highlighting the challenges of containing the outbreak, including limited access to testing and treatment in the region. AllAfrica and the BBC report on the scientific efforts, with the BBC noting that the vaccine could be available for clinical trials within months. The Jerusalem Post also covers the scientific efforts, reporting on the Oxford Vaccine Group's work and the use of the ChAdOx1 platform.

Key claims

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has a fatality rate of between 30% and 50%, according to multiple sources. There are no approved vaccines for this strain, as existing vaccines target the Zaire strain, the most common cause of Ebola outbreaks. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has announced funding to fast-track the development of three vaccine candidates, from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Moderna, and the University of Oxford. The Oxford candidate uses the ChAdOx1 platform and is being developed by scientists at the Oxford Vaccine Group, including Teresa Lambe and Rebecca Makinson. The BBC reports that animal testing is already under way, and that the vaccine could be ready for clinical trials in two to three months. However, it also notes that there are no guarantees the vaccine will prove effective.

The death toll and case numbers have varied across reports. ABC Australia and Africa News mention an outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, but do not give specific numbers. AllAfrica and the Jerusalem Post report 61 deaths and 359 confirmed cases, while the BBC's later report mentions 177 deaths and 750 suspected cases. The BBC also notes that the World Health Organization has upgraded the risk level to "very high" in the DRC and declared a public health emergency of international concern.