The Ebola virus has posed a near-certain death sentence for those who contract it until now, but Canadian and U.S. scientists may have cracked the code of this feared disease. Dr. Anthony Sanchez of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently presented new research describing successful tests of an Ebola vaccine in primates, with a human vaccine the ultimate goal.

Previous treatment for Ebola has been supportive, as the resultant hemorrhagic fever is fatal in around 90% of victims. Ebola is also more difficult to neutralize for vaccine use, unlike viruses like influenza, for which "killed" organisms can be used to inoculate humans. Limited availability of high-security containment facilities has further slowed progress.

With the potential for use of Ebola as a terrorist weapon, the danger of uncontrolled spread via air travel, and the risk of its escape from poorly secured laboratories or hospitals, scientists have long wanted a working vaccine to stave off a crisis. Dr. Sanchez now looks forward to initiating human trials and vaccination of high-risk workers who may operate in labs or hot zones during epidemics.

Beers, M. H., Porter, R. S., et al. (2006). Marburg and Ebola virus infections. Merck manual (18th ed.). West Point, PA: Merck.

http://Eurekalert.org/. "Vaccine for Ebola virus." 2008. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/sfgm-vfe032808.php (2 Apr. 2008).