Uganda receives second batch of Ebola vaccines

The World Health Organisation (WHO) explains that there are currently no licensed vaccines for the Sudan strain of the virus that caused the infections in Uganda, adding that the trial is to determine whether any of the vaccines are effective in combating the Sudan strain.

The WHO representative in Uganda, Dr. Yonas Tegegn, said a total of 5256 doses of Ebola vaccine have been received and that will be tried on individuals who are willing to volunteer. Makerere University Lung Institute is the principal investigator.

Even though the outbreak is seemingly waning with no new cases reported recently, health minister Dr. Ruth Aceng reminded the public to be careful until the 42 days elapse on 11th January 2023.

Kassanda and Mubende, the districts that first reported Ebola cases, were declared Ebola free in November after the ministry discharged the last Ebola patients. The two districts have been under a lockdown since October 15 when the President directed so.

Since the Ebola outbreak was declared in September, 142 cases have been confirmed, 56 of these losing their lives to the disease.

The outbreak, the health ministry communicated earlier, was caused by the Ebola Sudan strain which has no vaccine.

The lifting of the lockdown comes at a time Uganda has received the first shipment of trial vaccines against the Sudan strain, with more shipment of doses expected in the coming months.

Ebola spreads through bodily fluids and has symptoms such as fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhea.