Editorial Team
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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : November 5, 2014 5:51 PM IST
Criticizing big pharmaceutical companies for their inaction, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly said that no Ebola vaccine has been developed even 40 years after the virus first emerged because it previously affected poor African nations only. Dr Margaret Chan, the director-general of the WHO, said that the reason clinicians were 'empty-handed' was because 'a profit-driven industry does not invest in products for markets that cannot pay,' reported The Independent.
She added that the WHO has long complained about lack of investment in both vaccine development and healthcare systems in financially weak states but it had 'fallen on deaf ears.' The Ebola epidemic has put those arguments along with consequences out there for everyone to see on prime time news every day, she said. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
The outbreak has claimed almost 5,000 lives in West Africa and there are signs that the spread of the disease is still increasing in Sierra Leone, one of the three worst-hit nations. The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 and there have been more than 20 Ebola outbreaks since then. However, they have been on a smaller scale in comparison to the current epidemic. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
Why Ebola virus is mutating rapidly?
A recent research related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) states that the Ebola virus is rapidly mutating, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. A study conducted on the initial patients being infected with the virus in Sierra Leone revealed more than 400 genetic modifications of the Ebola virus, which might prove detrimental for the ongoing treatment measures but also to the vaccines that are under clinical trials for future treatment of the Ebola virus. (Read more about Ebola virus is mutating rapidly say scientists)
With inputs from ANI
Photo source: Getty images
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