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Oxford – The University of Oxford is testing a vaccine against the Marburg virus on humans for the first time. According to the university, the first of 46 planned participants have been included in the Phase 1 study.

The ChAdOx1-Marburg vaccine is based on the same platform that the Oxford Vaccine Group used to develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Infections with the Marburg virus are fatal in up to 88% of cases. Although the virus was discovered more than half a century ago – the first cases occurred in 1967 – there is still no vaccine or effective treatment options.

Since its discovery, there have been several outbreaks of the deadly infectious disease in sub-Saharan Africa, most recently in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea in 2023. Infections with the Marburg virus are zoonoses, transmitted by bats. In addition, infections occur through the consumption of “bushmeat” (meat from infected monkeys).

The virus can be transmitted between people through physical contact and bodily fluids. The disease is characterized by hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis.

The World Health Organization has designated Marburg virus infection as one of the diseases that should be researched as a priority in order to develop prevention and treatment methods.

“While Marburg virus outbreaks have historically been small, this devastating disease has begun to spread more widely and the potential for a pandemic is a legitimate concern,” said study leader Teresa Lambe of the Oxford Vaccine Group. © nec/aerzteblatt.de