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African nation initiates vaccine trial against fatal Ebola virus
(MENAFN) Uganda has initiated a clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV), following an outbreak that has led to one death and two infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Monday that the vaccine, developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), has been administered to the first group of participants at the Makerere University Lung Institute in Kampala. This trial marks the first attempt to assess a vaccine for the Sudan variant of Ebola, according to the WHO.
The Ugandan Health Ministry is collaborating with the WHO and other partners to roll out the vaccine, which will initially target health workers and individuals exposed to the virus. The first 40 contacts of the initial victim will be vaccinated as part of this phase of the trial.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the vaccine trial a significant step toward improving pandemic preparedness and saving lives in future outbreaks. WHO’s Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized that if proven effective, the vaccine could enhance protective measures against future SUDV outbreaks.
Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, has a high mortality rate, with the Sudan variant killing at least 40% of those infected. The latest outbreak in Uganda marks the country’s sixth SUDV incident. The first confirmed Ebola death since 2023 was reported on Thursday, a 32-year-old male nurse who succumbed to multiple organ failure.
This outbreak follows Uganda’s previous major Ebola incident in 2022, which ended after several months. Russia has expressed willingness to assist Uganda with epidemiological investigations and anti-epidemic measures, including providing a mobile laboratory for rapid diagnosis.
The Ugandan Health Ministry is collaborating with the WHO and other partners to roll out the vaccine, which will initially target health workers and individuals exposed to the virus. The first 40 contacts of the initial victim will be vaccinated as part of this phase of the trial.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the vaccine trial a significant step toward improving pandemic preparedness and saving lives in future outbreaks. WHO’s Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized that if proven effective, the vaccine could enhance protective measures against future SUDV outbreaks.
Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, has a high mortality rate, with the Sudan variant killing at least 40% of those infected. The latest outbreak in Uganda marks the country’s sixth SUDV incident. The first confirmed Ebola death since 2023 was reported on Thursday, a 32-year-old male nurse who succumbed to multiple organ failure.
This outbreak follows Uganda’s previous major Ebola incident in 2022, which ended after several months. Russia has expressed willingness to assist Uganda with epidemiological investigations and anti-epidemic measures, including providing a mobile laboratory for rapid diagnosis.
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