Uganda Launches Ebola Vaccine Trial to Combat Deadly Outbreak
Uganda has initiated a vaccine trial for the Sudan strain of Ebola, following a recent outbreak that has killed one person and infected two others. The first participant in the trial received a dose on Monday, marking a major step toward finding a solution for this deadly virus.
The vaccine, developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, is currently unapproved for the Sudan strain, unlike the Zaire strain, which has a licensed vaccine. Uganda is now facing its sixth Ebola outbreak, with 234 contacts under monitoring by health officials.
Ebola is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and has a 40% fatality rate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, internal and external bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The WHO, in collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and Makerere University Lung Institute, is overseeing the trial. The first batch of 2,160 vaccine doses arrived in Kampala over the weekend, allowing research teams to begin vaccinations and treatment rollouts.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s director for Africa, called the trial a “major milestone”, stating that if the vaccine proves effective, it will enhance global health security and prevent future outbreaks.
Uganda previously faced a Sudan Ebola outbreak in 2022, which led to over 70 deaths. However, vaccine trials could not be conducted before the outbreak ended in January 2023. With the current outbreak still active, officials are working quickly to evaluate the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.