DRC Begins Testing First Ebola Vaccine

 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun the first phase of trials for a vaccine against the Ebola virus, announced World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"We welcome the start of the first phase of clinical trials for an experimental vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease. This is an important step in assessing the safety and immune response generated by the vaccine. We look forward to the data, which will help determine the next stages of vaccine development and its potential application," the WHO chief stated.

The ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford in collaboration with international partners. The drug is based on the same technology as the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the latest data, the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC has reached 3,360, including 1,487 fatalities.

Earlier in July, Uganda's Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi, officially declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in the country.

Ebola is a severe, acute viral disease with a high fatality rate. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as with contaminated surfaces and materials.