By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Uganda’s Health Ministry has confirmed four new cases of Ebola infections and seven virus deaths in the last two days rising the death toll to 17 since the outbreak in September 2022.
“As of October 9, 2022, 22:00hrs, cumulative confirmed cases stand at 48, after four new confirmed cases were registered in the last 48 hours,” the Ministry said on Monday.
Adding that the ”Cumulative confirmed deaths have jumped to 17 while cumulative recoveries stand at 14.”
Current #EbolaOutbreakUG update pic.twitter.com/eE2mXtQVaV
— Ministry of Health- Uganda (@MinofHealthUG) October 10, 2022
According to the ministry, at least 35 per cent of the 1,049 cumulative contacts listed have completed their 21 days of follow-up.
Amidst increasing Ebola cases, the Ministry last week revealed that clinical trials for a potential vaccine against a rare strain of the Ebola virus, which is driving up cases in Uganda will start this week.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the spokesperson for the ministry, said getting the outbreak under control is the main priority and a worthwhile investment, together with other health development partners and looking forward to having the clinical trials starting this week.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said this week that several vaccines are in various stages of development against the Sudan strain of Ebola.
He added that they could begin clinical trials in Uganda after regulatory and ethics approvals from the Ugandan government.
Scientists have been working on at least eight possible vaccines that could tackle the Sudan strain, including a single-dose version, which has been licensed by the US-based Sabin Vaccine Institute.
WHO health emergency officer for the Africa region Dr Patrick Otim said on Friday that two vaccine candidates could offer protection against the Sudanese strain, but they are yet to go into clinical trials.
