CDC also said the current outbreak in Africa is the most geographically widespread in history, and that there are over 9,500 infections and about 4,600 deaths in DR Congo alone.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has explained why vaccines are not available to combat the spread of the strain of Ebola virus currently ravaging the continent.
The body spoke about the challenge on Thursday during an appearance by its Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya, on a Channels Television programme, The Morning Brief.
Recall that Nigeria confirmed its first case on Tuesday in a woman who arrived from Uganda on October 3, and since then, 44 contacts are being monitored.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) later noted that the strain of Ebola contracted by the woman is the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
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Speaking on the development, Kaseya said there is currently no vaccine for the virus because partners consider Ebola an African issue.
”If this outbreak were in Western countries, vaccines would already be available,” he said.
He went on to say that unlike the Democratic Republic of Congo’s strain—which caused the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic and has a licensed vaccine, Ervebo—the Bundibugyo strain has no licensed shield.
He, however, added that the Africa CDC has initiated clinical trials for new vaccines, including a new Bundibugyo vaccine manufactured in Egypt.
Kaseya further stated that the current outbreak is the most geographically widespread in history, affecting three regions of Africa, with over 9,500 infections and about 4,600 deaths in DR Congo alone.
