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According to Ministry of Health spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona, there are now a total of three cases, including two from the deceased man’s family.
Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO director for Africa, announced on Monday that Uganda initiated a clinical trial for a vaccine aimed at combating the Sudan strain of Ebola.
Displayed image caption: A Ugandan doctor is seen caring for a patient who tested positive for the Sudan strain of Ebola during the launch of a vaccination program at the Mulago Guest House isolation center in Kampala, Uganda, on February 3, 2025. (Reuters/Abubaker Lubowa)
Currently, there is no approved vaccine for that strain. The existing vaccination is for the Zaire strain, which is behind a recent outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This marks a major milestone in public health emergency response and demonstrates the power of collaboration for global health security,” Moeti said. “If proven effective, the vaccine will further strengthen measures to protect communities from future outbreaks.”
Bruce Kirenga, who heads Makerere Lung Institute, a research organization that is doing the trial, told local media during the launch of the vaccination that it had been developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and that the institute had received about 2,460 doses.
The health ministry last week said that the trial would target contacts of confirmed cases.
A high-fatality disease, Ebola infection symptoms include hemorrhage, headache and muscle pains. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissue.
