The first test in humans of an experimental vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus began Tuesday, U.S. government scientists said.

No effective treatment exists against the viral infection, which kills up to 90 percent of victims quickly from severe internal bleeding. Ebola was discovered in 1976 in the Republic of Congo, then Zaire. This week, the World Health Organization reported a new outbreak of Ebola in that country, attributing 11 deaths in as many cases to it.

The experimental DNA vaccine is synthesized using modified, inactivated genes from the Ebola virus. Because it does not contain any infectious material, recipients cannot get the disease. Researchers plan to test the vaccine on 27 people. They are expected to receive three injections of either the experimental vaccine or a placebo at the institute over two months. Then they will be monitored for one year.