The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 1,309, with 2,973 confirmed cases. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. The World Health Organization warns that the true scale may be several times larger than reported.
According to data from Reuters released on Saturday, the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 2,973, with 1,309 deaths. This marks a sharp increase from mid-July, when the official count stood at 1,963 infections and 719 fatalities. The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, continues to spread, straining local health systems and international response efforts.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, director of emergency situations at the World Health Organization, emphasized the gap between reported and actual figures. – We believe, based on our support and modeling, that the scale of the outbreak is at least 2-4 times greater than the number of detected cases – he said, as quoted by Reuters. This suggests the real number of infections could be well over 6,000, with hundreds more deaths unreported.
Rare strain presents unique challenges
The current epidemic is driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a variant distinct from the Zaire strain that caused most previous outbreaks in the region. Unlike the Zaire strain, for which effective vaccines and treatments exist, Bundibugyo has no approved medical countermeasures. This lack of a vaccine or specific therapy makes containment particularly difficult, as healthcare workers must rely on strict infection control measures and supportive care.
Oxford vaccine enters clinical trials
In early July, researchers at the University of Oxford launched the first-ever clinical trial of a vaccine designed to protect against the Bundibugyo strain. The vaccine, named ChAdOx1 BDBV, uses the same chimpanzee adenovirus vector technology that was successfully employed in the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This platform allows for rapid development and has already proven safe in millions of people.
According to AFP, the first dose was administered on Friday to 37-year-old volunteer Ed Hunt from Oxford. – We have gone from concept to clinical phase in just eight weeks – said David Pulido-Gomez from the Oxford Pandemic Sciences Institute in a statement cited by Reuters. – Achieving this milestone in such a short time is a testament to the extraordinary effort of the entire team – he added.
The initial phase of the trial will involve 50 healthy adult volunteers. Over the coming weeks, researchers will assess the vaccine’s safety, immune response, and preliminary efficacy. Recruitment for additional participants is ongoing. If the trial proves successful, the vaccine could be fast-tracked for emergency use in affected regions, potentially saving thousands of lives.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Reuters
