Uganda starts clinical trial of vaccine for Sudan strain of Ebola

Uganda has launched a trial vaccination program for the Sudan strain of Ebola as confirmed cases rise to three. With no approved vaccine for this strain, the trial aims to protect communities and strengthen outbreak response, according to the WHO.

Uganda has launched a trial vaccination program for the strain of Ebola responsible for the country’s latest outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as the number of confirmed cases has increased to three.

The East African nation reported an Ebola outbreak in its capital, Kampala, last week, initially identifying a single case—a nurse who passed away on January 29.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona informed Reuters on Monday that the total number of cases has now risen to three, with two additional infections found among the deceased nurse’s family members.

In a post on X later that day, WHO’s Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, confirmed that Uganda had also initiated a clinical trial for a vaccine targeting the Sudan strain of Ebola.

At present, there is no approved vaccine for this particular strain. The available vaccine is designed to combat the Zaire strain, which has caused a recent outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bruce Kirenga, head of the Makerere Lung Institute—the research organization conducting the trial—told local media that the vaccine was developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), and approximately 2,460 doses had been received for the program.

According to Uganda’s health ministry, the trial is focused on vaccinating individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases.

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