english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2021 > Ebola vaccine rVSV-Zebov (Ervebo°) in an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. Major reduction in incidence among those at risk for this often-fatal infection

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Ebola vaccine rVSV-Zebov (Ervebo°) in an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. Major reduction in incidence among those at risk for this often-fatal infection

FEATURED REVIEW Ebola virus disease is a contagious and often fatal infection for which there was no vaccine or cure. According to two clinical trials, the live attenuated vaccine, Ebola vaccine rVSV-Zebov, confers high levels of protection to people who come into contact with infected patients.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

  • Ebola virus disease is caused by a virus belonging to the filovirus family. After an incubation period of 2 to 21 days, Ebola virus disease presents with non-specific flu-like symptoms, including fever. This is followed by signs of multiorgan damage, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological and cutaneous disorders.
     
  • Most outbreaks of Ebola virus disease have occurred in Africa, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The Zaire strain of the virus was usually involved. The proportion of infected patients who died (the case fatality rate) ranged from 30% to 90%, depending on the outbreak.
     
  •  BRAVO  The evaluation data on Ebola vaccine rVSVZebov show that, during an outbreak of Ebola virus disease, vaccinating those who have been in contact with infected patients greatly reduces the number of new cases, from day 10 after vaccination onwards. The reported adverse effects are acceptable given the severity of the disease, and include those common to all vaccines, as well as joint and skin disorders. The vaccine must be kept frozen, which complicates its use. In practice, this vaccine is a useful complement to the strict protective and hygiene measures that must be implemented around a patient infected with Ebola virus. 

©Prescrire 1 February 2021

Source: "Ebola vaccine rVSV-Zebov (Ervebo°) in an outbreak of Ebola virus disease. Major reduction in incidence among those at risk for this often-fatal infection" Prescrire International 2021; 30 (223): 33-37. Subscribers only.

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