2017-03-10
Scientists have developed a new vaccine created to combat Ebola among chimpanzees and gorillas.

Peter Walsh of the University of Cambridge told AFP that "We now have this technology that can help save them[chimpanzees], and there is a moral obligation that we should do it," and that "Our closest relatives are being driven rapidly towards extinction by diseases like Ebola, by commercial bushmeat hunting and by habitat loss, and for a lot of this we are responsible."

In laboratory tests the new vaccine seems to be safe and generate a robust immune response to Ebola. However, the test group was only ten chimpanzees.

The new vaccine can be given orally as this experience is said to be less traumatic for the animals.

Ebola has killed roughly one third of the world's gorillas. During an outbreak up to 95% of them die.