The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern as cases spread. Aid groups say response efforts are struggling to keep up. On 1 June CEPI pledged US$62 million to fast-track three investigational vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus; developers include IAVI, Moderna and the University of Oxford, with Oxford doses to be made at the Serum Institute of India.
Teresa Lambe of the Oxford Vaccine Group said animal studies are under way and that clinical-grade doses could be ready within two to three months. WHO’s Technical Advisory Group identified IAVI’s single-dose rVSV candidate, developed with the University of Texas Medical Branch and supported with US$3.2 million from CEPI, as the most promising; WHO said it will be seven to nine months before that candidate is ready for human testing.
As of May 29 the outbreak had caused 223 suspected deaths in DRC and one in Uganda. On 2 June Uganda confirmed six new cases, bringing its confirmed total to 15. Gavi committed US$50 million through its First Response Fund, including up to US$40 million to accelerate access. Gavi chief executive Sania Nishtar said action is needed now so manufacturers can begin producing doses at scale once candidates are ready. Africa CDC teams are assessing a Russian vaccine for the Zaire strain, and WHO experts have recommended several experimental therapeutics for clinical trials.
Difficult words
- outbreak — a sudden spread of disease in people
- pledge — to promise to give money or supportpledged
- investigational — not yet approved and being tested
- clinical-grade — made to standards for safe medical use
- dose — one amount of medicine given at one timedoses
- candidate — a vaccine or drug being considered for testing
- therapeutic — a drug or treatment used for illnesstherapeutics
- confirm — to show that something is true or correctconfirmed
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why did Gavi say action is needed now?
- What problems do aid groups report about response efforts?
- How might a seven to nine month wait for human testing change response plans?
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