As the Democratic Republic of Congo battles a new Ebola outbreak, experts are questioning whether the only licensed vaccine—designed for the Zaire ebolavirus—will be effective against the current Bundibugyo strain, according to Eurasia Review.
The licensed Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, which has been used successfully in previous outbreaks, targets a different species of the virus. The current outbreak in the DRC is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, which is genetically distinct. Eurasia Review reports that this mismatch raises concerns about the vaccine's suitability to protect people in the affected region.
In response to the outbreak, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has begun the first human trial of a vaccine specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain, Premium Times Nigeria reports. The first volunteer has already been administered the experimental shot, according to Nursing in Practice.
Separately, the World Health Organization has launched a clinical trial testing two experimental treatments for Ebola in the DRC, Global Biodefense reports. Meanwhile, CIDRAP notes that existing vaccines have been shown to induce an antibody response against the virus driving the Congo outbreak, though the specific strain involved in that study was not detailed.
The key question remains whether the existing licensed vaccine offers any cross-protection against Bundibugyo, or if the new experimental vaccine will be needed to control the outbreak.
