Stop testing Ebola vaccine due to side effects

The clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine in Switzerland was suspended, after four patients complained of joint pain in their legs and arms.

Picture 1 of Stop testing Ebola vaccine due to side effects
Ebola virus.(Photo: BBC)

The trial was stopped a week earlier than expected, on all 59 volunteers involved, to " prevent risk , " according to representatives of the University Hospital of Geneva. The trial will start over 15 volunteers from January 5, if tests show the symptoms of arthralgia are mild and transient.

The vaccine was tested by NewLink, and has recently been licensed to Merck.

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines for use against Ebola. In addition to the above vaccine, another vaccine (developed by GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical company) is also being tested on humans in some countries.

Ebola virus has raged in West Africa for the past few months, and has claimed more than 6,000 lives.