Uganda: Uganda has commenced a clinical trial for an Ebola vaccine following a deadly outbreak declared last week, marking the country’s sixth encounter with the Sudan strain of the virus. The trial began just four days after the demise of a nurse in Kampala, the capital, and aims to target health workers and individuals disclosed to the virus.
Two additional cases were confirmed by relatives of the first victim, driving immediate action. This outbreak comes with the ongoing challenge of fighting the Sudan strain, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. Of the five other known Ebola species, only one has a licensed vaccine.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that, “This vaccination trial was initiated with record speed.” The WHO emphasised that a system for vaccine candidates was established during a previous outbreak in Uganda in 2022, paving the way for this rapid response.
There is a confirmed outbreak of #Ebola in #Uganda. The Ministry of Health is in full control of the outbreak and all measures are in place to ensure that the population is protected.
In case, you see a person with signs of Ebola, please call the MOH toll free line on… pic.twitter.com/O8jG94bGun
— Ministry of Health- Uganda (@MinofHealthUG) January 31, 2025
The vaccine is being distributed in a “ring” vaccination strategy, where initial doses are given to all known contacts of confirmed Ebola cases, as well as secondary contacts. The first vaccination circle included 40 direct contacts of the health worker who died, alongside their contacts.
Ebola is transferred through human body fluids, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhoea. Since its discovery, the Sudan strain has been accountable for eight outbreaks, five of which occurred in Uganda. Other regions, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have also faced frequent Ebola outbreaks, with the deadliest epidemic in 2020 claiming over 2,000 lives.
POPULAR | Shein relaunches in India under Reliance Retail partnership
