Human trials for a new Ebola vaccine began with the first volunteer vaccinated in the world’s first clinical trial of a vaccine designed to protect against Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV).
The ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford’s Oxford Vaccine Group and Pandemic Sciences Institute using the same vaccine technology as the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Friday (24 July) marked the first time that a vaccine for BDBV has been administered to humans.
The milestone comes as an outbreak of the Ebola variant continues to spread across parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Meanwhile a humanitarian worker from the UK has been medically evacuated from the DRC to a hospital in London after exposure to Ebola.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the individual – who is a UK resident but is not being named – has no symptoms and is isolating as a precaution after ‘a potential healthcare related exposure’ to the infection.
They are a UK resident who had been treating patients with Ebola in the DRC as part of the outbreak response.
There have been more than 2,100 confirmed cases in the DRC since the outbreak was first detected.
Some cases had also been reported in Uganda but there have been no new Ebola infections detected there since the 21 June, the World Health Organization said.
Earlier this month, MPs had called on chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty to provide answers on whether the UK was prepared for Ebola after France reported its first case in a doctor who had returned from the DRC.
Healthcare professionals have been warned to be alert to signs of Ebola in anyone acutely unwell with history of recent travel to areas affected by the outbreak.
A strain of Ebola called Bundibugyo has been spreading rapidly in the DRC with the outbreak is proving difficult to contain after late detection in the region which faces conflict and limited healthcare facilities.
The medical evacuation was done by the UK Government working with the NHS and international health partners, UKHSA said.
While not currently displaying any symptoms and remains well, the individual had been evacuated on a flight chartered solely for the evacuation.
They are now being assessed and monitored in isolation by infectious disease specialists at a London hospital, UKHSA said.
The incubation period of Ebola ranges from 2 to 21 days and the individual will be closely monitored and required to isolate throughout this period.
Ebola presents with a wide range of symptoms, the onset of which can be sudden, and may initially include fever, malaise, muscle pain, and headaches. Some patients may not have a fever when they present.
Richard Pebody, director, epidemic and emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: ‘The risk to the general public remains low.
‘This individual has been transferred out of an abundance of caution, and we’re pleased they remain well.’ Pulse
