Clinical trials of Ebola vaccines could begin “in the coming weeks” in Uganda, where the virus is still widespread, World Health Organization (WHO) director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.
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Ugandan Health Minister Jane Ruth Acenga told AFP on Wednesday that a fatal case had been recorded in Kampala with an infected person leaving central Mubende district, where the outbreak was first reported, and later hospitalized in Uganda’s capital had died.
“Several vaccines against this virus are in different stages of development, two of which could be used for clinical trials in Uganda in the coming weeks, pending regulatory and ethical approvals from the Ugandan government,” the WHO chief said Wednesday during an emergency ministerial meeting against the Epidemic.
The death toll stands at “more than 19” in Uganda, which last month recorded its first death since 2019 from Ebola, an ultra-contagious virus. Health professionals are among the victims.
“Unfortunately, the Ebola vaccines that were so effective in controlling the recent Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo are not effective against the Ebola virus type responsible for the current outbreak in Uganda,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In question: a variety from Sudan.
The director of the WHO, who attended this meeting from Geneva, counted 54 proven and 20 probable cases, to which must be added 660 contact cases under “active surveillance”.
The first case was reported on September 20 in the central Mubende district. Several infections were then found in four other regions.
“Our main goal now is to help the government of Uganda to quickly control and contain this epidemic to stop its spread to neighboring districts and countries,” said Dr. Tedros to reporters.
The risk of transmission between countries is “high due to movements between Uganda and other countries,” the WHO said.
Uganda, an East African country, has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks, including the most recent one in 2019, which killed at least five people. This often-fatal virus that causes hemorrhagic fever was discovered in 1976 and is particularly prevalent in the west of the continent.
The worst epidemic in this area between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 people.
Last week, the United States imposed stricter controls on travelers from Uganda.