伊波拉病毒疫苗研制成功

Scientists have developed a vaccine¹ that protects mice against a deadly form of the Ebola virus.

科学家研制出一种疫苗，可以保护老鼠免受致死伊波拉病毒的伤害。

Around 1,200 people have died of Ebola virus infection since 1976
First identified in 1976, Ebola kills more than 90% of the people it infects.

The researchers say that this is the first Ebola vaccine to remain viable² long-term and can therefore be successfully stockpiled.

The results are reported in the journal Proceedings³ of National Academy of Sciences.

Ebola is transmitted via bodily fluids, and can become airborn. Sufferers experience nausea⁴（恶心，晕船） , vomiting⁵, internal bleeding and organ failure before they die.

Although few people contract Ebola each year, its effects are so swift and devastating⁶ that it is often feared that it could be used against humans in an act of terroism.

All previously⁷ developed vaccines⁸ have relied on injecting intact, but crippled, viral particles into the body.

Long-term storage tends to damage the virus, paralysing the vaccine's effectiveness.

The new vaccine contains a synthetic⁹ viral protein, which is capable of recognising the Ebola virus and is much more stable when stored long-term.

The vaccine protects 80% of the mice injected with the deadly strain, and survives being "dried down and frozen," said biotechnologist Charles Arntzen from Arizona State University who was involved in its development.

He said the next step is to try the vaccine on a strain of Ebola that is closer to the one that infects humans.