India fast-tracks Ebola vaccine candidate as Central Africa battles outbreak
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India is set to play a significant role in the global response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, with the Serum Institute of India (SII) accelerating the development and production of a vaccine candidate targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
According to a report by Modern Diplomacy, the initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The vaccine candidate, known as ChAdOx1 BDBV, is designed to protect against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the strain linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Uganda.
Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, there is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo variant, making the project particularly important for global health efforts.
The vaccine uses the same viral vector technology platform employed in the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a factor expected to facilitate faster manufacturing and large-scale production once clinical-grade doses are ready for testing.
The WHO has accelerated its assessment process for the candidate as health authorities seek to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
Reports indicate that more than 1,500 suspected Ebola cases and over 650 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda since the outbreak began earlier this year.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain could help control the current outbreak and improve preparedness for future epidemics.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya has also confirmed that the vaccine will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
India has not reported any active Ebola cases. However, authorities have intensified surveillance measures at airports and other points of entry, including screening and isolation protocols for travellers arriving from affected regions.
