Treatment & vaccine
Ebola treatment and vaccine: what works?
Since 2019 there is an approved Ebola vaccine (Ervebo) and since 2020 two approved monoclonal antibody treatments. Early admission and intensive supportive care lower mortality from around 50% to under 10%. The main challenge remains timely access in remote outbreak areas.
Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV-GP)
Single dose. Approved by FDA and EMA in 2019. Effective only against Zaire ebolavirus. >97% protective in ring-vaccination trials. Administered around confirmed cases to halt spread.
Zabdeno + Mvabea
Two-dose Janssen vaccine, EMA-approved in 2020. Used for preventive vaccination of health workers and populations in risk areas (not as reactive ring vaccination).
Approved treatments
Inmazeb (REGN-EB3)
Mix of three monoclonal antibodies (Regeneron). FDA-approved 2020. Single IV infusion. Mortality reduction to 33%.
Ebanga (mAb114)
Single monoclonal antibody (Ridgeback). FDA-approved 2020. Single IV infusion. Comparable effectiveness to Inmazeb.
Supportive care
Rehydration
IV fluids and electrolytes compensate for losses from vomiting and diarrhea.
Organ support
Blood pressure and oxygen therapy, monitoring of liver and kidney function.
Infection prevention
Treatment of secondary infections (malaria, bacterial sepsis).
Sudan strain: no approved vaccine yet
Ervebo, Inmazeb and Ebanga do not work against Sudan ebolavirus. During the Uganda outbreak in 2022 the experimental Sabin cAd3-EBO S vaccine was deployed via a ring trial. Results are still being analyzed. No specific vaccines exist for Bundibugyo or Taï Forest either.