News: New vaccine for Ebola? Thai scientists announce

Thai scientists have claimed the discovery of a new type of antibody against the Ebola virus and claimed that it is 'more effective' than those that already exist.

The potential new cure is still awaiting animal and human trials.

'We are proud to have created a new antibody treatment for Ebola fever,' Udom Kachintorn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, said at a press conference in Bangkok this week.

'It is a new antibody structure, a new mechanism to kill the Ebola fever in the most effective manner,' said Udom.

Positive results are expected when trials are conducted on animals in the laboratory and on humans, he said.

According to his research, this new antibody is small enough to enter the infected cells and destroy the Ebola proteins.

It is harmless to humans as it is developed from human cells and can reproduce in large quantities. 

The researchers indicated that it would take a year for an experimental vaccine to be developed, although this period could be shortened with the availability of more funding and better facilities.