Ebola vaccine arrives in Uganda as Kenya remains on high alert
The trial will target those at the highest risk of infection, including individuals who have had close contact with confirmed or deceased Ebola patients.
The first shipment of 2,160 doses of an Ebola vaccine has arrived in Uganda’s capital as part of efforts to curb the latest outbreak of the deadly virus.
The arrival follows the confirmation of an outbreak by Uganda’s Health Ministry last week on Thursday after a 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital succumbed to the Sudan ebolavirus last Wednesday.
More To Read
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that a clinical trial will administer the vaccine to test its efficacy. “The candidate vaccine and the candidate treatments are being made available through clinical trial protocols, which will make it possible to further document their efficacy and safety,” WHO stated.
The trial will target those at the highest risk of infection, including individuals who have had close contact with confirmed or deceased Ebola patients.
Ring vaccination strategy
The study will employ a ring vaccination strategy, where mobile teams will move to affected areas to administer the vaccine.
“WHO is working with the Ministry of Health, the Makerere University Lung Institute, and the Uganda Virus Research Institute, which will lead the trials’ implementation,” the organisation added.
Health experts emphasise that vaccination accelerates containment efforts, even though they can control Ebola outbreaks without vaccines. WHO has allocated $1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to bolster outbreak response efforts.
Sudan virus disease, caused by Orthoebolavirus Sudanese, is a severe and often fatal illness affecting humans and primates. Past outbreaks have recorded case fatality rates between 41% and 100%. Although early supportive treatment significantly reduces fatalities, there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for the Sudan virus.
Uganda has experienced five previous Ebola outbreaks, with the most recent one occurring between September 2022 and January 2023, resulting in 164 cases and 77 deaths. Given the country’s history with Ebola, authorities are keen to contain the current outbreak swiftly.
Kenya remains on high alert due to the frequent movement of people across the shared border. On Friday, Kenya’s Ministry of Health reassured citizens that it has heightened surveillance across all counties and entry points.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that a rapid assessment of Kenya’s response capacity is underway, with plans to develop a comprehensive national preparedness strategy.7
Top Stories Today
