Vaccine protects against Ebola virus

Researchers have successfully vaccinated macque monkeys against the Ebola virus, inducing full protection against this fatal infection and inspiring hope that a human vaccine will soon follow (Nature 2000;408:605-9).

Ebola virus mysteriously appeared in Sudan and Zaire (formerly the Congo) in 1976, causing haemorrhagic fevers and rapidly killing up to 90% of those infected. The virus has caused periodic outbreaks in Africa ever since. An epidemic currently affecting the northern Gulu district of Uganda has so far killed 140 people.

Ebola belongs to the family of single stranded RNA viruses known as filoviruses and causes haemorrhagic fevers with high mortality. Its natural host is unknown, but a simian reservoir is suspected.

The virus is transmitted …