The first 2,160 doses of the Ebola vaccine have arrived in Kampala as part of Uganda’s preparedness efforts following a confirmed outbreak of the Sudan ebolavirus. The outbreak was declared after a 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital succumbed to the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the vaccine will be administered in a clinical trial to assess its efficacy. The trial will prioritize individuals at the highest risk, such as close contacts of confirmed Ebola cases. Study teams will operate in affected locations using a ring vaccination strategy.
While there are no approved treatments for the Sudan virus strain, early supportive care has been shown to reduce fatalities. Kenya remains on high alert due to cross-border movement, with health officials enhancing surveillance at entry points and assessing national preparedness.
