New Ebola Vaccines Move Toward Human Trials

Efforts to develop vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus are accelerating, with candidates from the University of Oxford and biotechnology company Moderna expected to enter the first phase of clinical trials as early as July.

Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), said there is a possibility that field trials could begin within a few months.

The outbreak is currently spreading in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where health authorities are working to contain the virus.

At the same time, the United States has announced more than $700m in funding to support the response. Part of the money will go directly to affected countries, while the remainder is intended to address broader humanitarian needs.

Washington has also called on other countries to contribute to efforts aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further spread of the virus.

(Reuters, mja)