Ebola: calls for second experimental vaccine in DRC after WHO declares emergency

Abstract

Experts and aid agencies are calling for a second experimental vaccine to be used now that the World Health Organization has declared the rapidly expanding outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Almost a year after the outbreak began, “the disease is not under control and we need a change of gear,” said Joanne Liu, international president of Médecins Sans Frontières. Traditional methods of controlling the disease have not worked and “a large scale approach is needed for prevention, this means better access to vaccination for the population to reduce transmission,” said Liu. WHO announced a PHEIC, the highest level of global health alarm, on Wednesday1 after Ebola reached the major transport …