Breakthrough Collaboration: WHO and Partners Unleash Life-Saving Vaccine for Sudan Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners have ramped up their efforts to support Uganda’s response to a Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreak, part of the Ebola virus family. Immediate actions include providing access to a candidate vaccine and treatments, with the initial shipment of 2,160 vaccine doses already positioned in Kampala due to prior preparedness measures. These are to be made available under clinical trial protocols to document their efficacy and safety.
Research teams have been dispatched to work alongside surveillance teams as approvals are processed. As of January 30, one confirmed case and 45 contacts are under monitoring. This marks Uganda’s sixth SVD outbreak, the last of which ended in January 2023 with 164 cases and 77 fatalities.
WHO collaborates with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Makerere University Lung Institute, the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, and international experts to initiate clinical trials. The global effort involves diverse stakeholders, including vaccine developers, researchers, and regulatory bodies, aimed at evaluating the trial vaccine’s efficacy and potentially curtailing the current outbreak.
Eligible participants, those at highest risk of SVD, are being identified using a ring vaccination strategy. The trials are supported by entities like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Funding efforts include a US$ 1 million allocation from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
Despite no approved treatments or vaccines, the early initiation of supportive care reduces fatalities, with case fatality rates varying from 41% to 100% in prior outbreaks. While possible to control without vaccines, their use can expedite the process. Thus, a comprehensive response in Uganda focuses on halting transmission, identifying contacts, and conducting epidemiological investigations along with enhancing public awareness. SVD, caused by the Sudan virus (Orthoebolavirus sudanense), remains a severe, often fatal illness for humans and primates.
Original Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/31-01-2025-who-and-partners-enable-access-to-candidate-vaccine-and-treatments-for-outbreak-of-sudan-ebola-virus-disease-in-uganda
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Publish Date: 2025-02-01 03:55:00
