0
0
Kampala, Uganda – February 2, 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 2,160 doses of an Ebola trial vaccine to Uganda in an effort to evaluate its efficacy in combating the deadly virus. This move follows the recent outbreak of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD), which has claimed the life of a health worker in the country’s capital, Kampala.
According to a statement posted on WHO’s official website, the organization is collaborating with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Makerere University Lung Institute, the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, and international filovirus experts to initiate the clinical trials. The outbreak was declared by Uganda’s Ministry of Health on Thursday after a 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital succumbed to the virus, marking the country’s eighth Ebola outbreak.
“The aim of the vaccine trial is to evaluate a potentially efficacious candidate vaccine, and if efficacious, to possibly contribute to ending the ongoing outbreak and protect populations at risk in the future,” WHO stated.
Those eligible to participate in the trial include individuals at the highest risk of contracting SVD, such as close contacts of confirmed or deceased cases. The study locations will be determined based on the residence of such individuals.
Currently, no approved treatments or vaccines exist for Sudan virus; however, WHO has emphasized that early supportive care significantly reduces fatalities. Past outbreaks have shown case fatality rates ranging between 41 percent and 100 percent.
Uganda previously experienced an SVD outbreak from September 2022 to January 2023, resulting in 164 cases and 77 deaths. During that outbreak, a WHO-led committee of external experts reviewed potential vaccines and recommended candidates for evaluation in Uganda. These recommendations are now forming the basis of the ongoing clinical trials.
WHO has reported that preparatory efforts for the vaccine trial include research team orientations, logistical planning, and field deployments to work alongside surveillance teams while awaiting approvals.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The Ebola trial vaccine is still under evaluation, and its efficacy has not yet been confirmed. Readers are advised to rely on official health authorities for updates and guidance regarding Ebola outbreaks and treatments.
