Marta Iraola Iribarren/Euronews
Scientists in Oxford will start to test the world’s first vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebola, as an outbreak of the rare virus strain continues to spread across Congo and Uganda.
The University of Oxford’s Vaccine Group has launched the world’s first human clinical trial of a vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebolavirus amid the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The Phase I clinical trial will take place in Oxford and will assess the safety and immune response of the vaccine in 50 healthy adults aged between 18 and 55.
“Every step that brings a safe and effective vaccine closer helps strengthen our ability to protect vulnerable communities, save lives and bring this outbreak under control,” said Nicole Lurie from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), adding that the University of Oxford’s work is a “pivotal milestone in the response effort”.
The Oxford team is now recruiting volunteers for the study. In the coming weeks, following regulatory review for trial commencement, participants will be vaccinated and attend follow-up visits, the Oxford Vaccine Group announced in a press release.
Further clinical studies are also being prepared in Uganda, pending regulatory approval, at the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Uganda Research Unit.
“As affected countries continue to respond to this outbreak, Africa CDC welcomes rapid scientific progress that is conducted with the highest standards of safety, regulatory oversight and partnership,” said Jean Kaseya, the chief of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
He added that while early-stage clinical trials are not an immediate solution for communities facing the outbreak today, they are a critical part of building the tools needed for responding to current and future outbreaks.
The Bundibugyo epidemic affecting Congo and Uganda is among the largest ever recorded and infection numbers are still rising.
As of 11 July, Congo’s health ministry had confirmed 1,926 cases and 702 deaths across five provinces. On 12 July, Uganda confirmed 20 cases, including two deaths.
Ten provinces are currently considered high-risk, including Kinshasa, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health.
