Oxford University scientists start human testing of vaccine for deadly virus

The university has started the human testing of its vaccine against the Marburg virus which mostly affects health workers.

Study in UK: Oxford University scientists have started human testing for their vaccine for protecting against deadly Marburg virus. The virus spreads through close contact with infected persons and bodily fluids and hence health workers are more affected by this virus.

The World Health Organization has designated research and development work to protect this deadly virus infection as priority work as based on the earlier outbreaks, there is an estimated case fatality rate of up to 88%.

UK Health Security Agency has listed it as 'high consequence' infectious disease. The university's vaccine group has administered the ChAdOx1 Marburg vaccine to 46 people who are in the age group between 18 to 55.

Professor Teresa Lambe, the study's lead scientific investigator and a Professor of vaccinology at Oxford Vaccine Group and the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford said: "Although outbreaks of Marburg virus have historically been small, this devastating disease has started to spread even further and the potential to cause a pandemic and inflict suffering on many is a real concern. "With no approved treatments for Marburg, developing a vaccine is critical. This Oxford trial is a first step towards developing a safe and effective vaccine to protect people from future outbreaks," as reported by Oxford Mail.

More Details of Marburg virus

It causes fatal infection as it can affect the blood clotting mechanism which can result in internal bleeding and also to the inflammation of the brain. Two major outbreaks were seen simultaneously in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia, which highlighted the virus to WHO. Human catches this infection through prolonged exposure to caves or mines inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies.

"Once an individual is infected with the virus, Marburg can spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” said WHO statement.

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