News: First Ebola vaccine trial starts in Africa

The first Ebola drug trial in Africa has started with three healthcare workers in Mali receiving an experimental vaccine.

It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) today warned the virus is now 'entrenched' in the capital cities of the three worst-hit countries, and is accelerating in almost all settings. 

The trial started on October 8, with the first health worker receiving the drug, followed by two colleagues yesterday.

Over the course of the trial 37 more healthcare workers will be given the vaccine.

It is the latest vaccine to be rushed into clinical trials as the worst-ever Ebola outbreak grips West Africa.

The WHO said the disease has so far claimed the lives of more than 3,800 people, infecting at least 8,000 people in West Africa.   

The organisation's deputy head Bruce Aylward warned that the world's response is not keeping up with the disease in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - the three worst-hit nations.