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

UK scientists developing new Ebola vaccine that could be ready in monthsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJames GallagherHealth and science correspondentGetty ImagesScientists at Oxford University have a made 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 reached 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. They say they are working urgently in case the outbreak spirals and their experimental vaccine is needed. On Sunday, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern, but stressed the outbreak was not a pandemic.The Oxford vaccineThe vaccine uses the same technology the team developed during the Covid pandemic.It is 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. It uses 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 does not cause an infection or Ebola symptoms, but trains the immune system to give protection.The BBC understands that animal testing is already under way in Oxford. There are no guarantees the vaccine will prove effective. It will take animal research and then trials in people to know for sure. The Serum Institute of India is lined up to mass produce the Ebola vaccine once Oxford can supply medical-grade material. Prof Lambe, the Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the Oxford Vac...