Scientists at Oxford University are urgently developing a new vaccine aimed at the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no currently proven vaccine.

The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths, prompting the World Health Organization to upgrade the risk from 'high' to 'very high' within the country.

The experimental vaccine, based on the ChAdOx1 technology previously used for Covid-19, is designed to train the immune system to recognise and combat the virus without causing Ebola symptoms.Early animal testing is underway, and researchers hope that clinical trials could begin within two to three months if results are promising.Production of the vaccine for trials is planned in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India.

Unlike mass Covid vaccinations, Ebola vaccines are administered through 'ring vaccination', targeting healthcare workers and close contacts of infected individuals.Oxford's team has prior experience developing vaccines for other Ebola strains and Marburg virus.While there are no guarantees of success, scientists are moving quickly to provide an option in case the outbreak escalates.