Subscribe now

MORE than 50 people have already bled to death since the Ebola virus surfaced
in northern Uganda two weeks ago. But American government scientists believe
that a vaccine is just a few years away.

Ebola expert Gary Nabel of the US National Institutes of Health has tested a
DNA vaccine in primates, which he says protects them from the deadly infection.
And while he is reluctant to comment on his vaccine before the research is
published, other researchers are also making progress.

Vaccines usually work by stimulating the production of antibodies in response
to viral material. But people exposed to…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop