UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — WHO chief announces start of new Ebola vaccine trial in DR Congo

Q1. With reference to the vaccine Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is an inactivated vaccine, so the vector it contains cannot replicate in the recipient.
  2. It uses a vesicular stomatitis virus whose own envelope glycoprotein has been replaced by the glycoprotein of Zaire Ebola virus.
  3. Because it contains only a small, non-infectious part of Ebola virus, it cannot cause Ebola disease in the person vaccinated.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q2. Consider the following assertion: 'In the 2026 Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC, it was scientifically justified to deploy Ervebo within a research protocol rather than as a routine outbreak-control vaccine.' Which of the statements given above support the assertion?

  1. The emergency Ebola vaccine stockpile managed by the International Coordinating Group is funded by Gavi.
  2. Ervebo's licensed indication is limited to disease caused by Ebola virus (Zaire).
  3. The average case fatality rate of Ebola disease is around 50 per cent.
  4. Animal data suggest that Ervebo may give some protection against Bundibugyo virus, but human evidence is insufficient.
  • A. 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only