India, through the Serum Institute, is playing a crucial role in combating the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The Institute is expediting the development of a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. This effort is in collaboration with the University of Oxford, CEPI, WHO, and Africa CDC.
The vaccine, named ChAdOx1 BDBV, aims to protect against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a rare strain linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda. Unlike the Zaire strain, there is no approved vaccine for Bundibugyo, making this development significant.
Utilizing the same technology as the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the Ebola vaccine’s manufacturing and scale-up process will be faster once clinical-grade doses are available for testing. WHO is expediting the assessment of the vaccine candidate to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
More than 1,500 suspected Ebola cases and over 650 deaths have been reported in the DRC and Uganda since the outbreak earlier this year. WHO’s Director-General highlighted the importance of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain in controlling the epidemic and enhancing preparedness for future outbreaks.
Africa CDC’s Director-General confirmed that the Serum Institute of India will manufacture the vaccine. Although India has no active Ebola cases, stringent surveillance measures have been implemented at health authorities and airports for travelers from affected regions. This outbreak underscores the global health concern, prompting governments and vaccine developers to intensify preparedness and vaccine development efforts.
