Ebola crisis in Uganda has reportedly concluded, as per official announcements by the government.
Uganda declared an end to the Ebola outbreak on April 26, after 42 days with no new cases since the last confirmed patient was discharged from the hospital. This marks the sixth time Uganda, a nation in the Great Lakes area, has faced Ebola. This viral hemorrhagic fever comes in six different strains, three of which — Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Zaire — have led to major epidemics.
"The current Ebola-Sudan epidemic is officially over," announced the Ugandan Ministry of Health via Twitter. "This follows 42 days without any new cases since the last confirmed patient was discharged on March 14."
During this outbreak, 12 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases of the Sudan Ebola strain were reported. The outbreak led to two deaths, a four-year-old child and a healthcare worker. Two probable deaths were also recorded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). "Ten people have recovered from the infection. A total of 534 people identified as having been in contact with confirmed and probable cases have been under close surveillance," the WHO stated.
Testing an experimental vaccine for Sudan Ebola strain
At the moment, there's no vaccine for Ebola-Sudan. However, an experimental vaccine trial against this strain was initiated in early February in Uganda. According to the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this trial was launched exceptionally quickly.
The global situation also posed a challenge. In early March, the United Nations requested $11.2 million to combat the epidemic, following the announcement by the United States to halt most of its humanitarian aid.
Ebola transmission happens through bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, bleeding, and diarrhea. People become contagious only after symptoms appear, following an incubation period of two to 21 days. Since 1976, this virus has resulted in over 15,000 deaths in Africa.
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Interestingly, the experimental vaccine against the Sudan Ebola strain was rapidly trialed and deployed in a clinical trial context during the Uganda outbreak in 2021. While the full effectiveness of the vaccine was not completely established at the time, the emphasis was on safety and early efficacy evaluation. Given the high fatality rate associated with the Sudan strain, this marked an important step forward. However, licensed vaccines specific to the Sudan strain had yet to be developed, requiring further research in this area. The outbreak was ultimately contained through comprehensive surveillance, case investigation, community engagement, treatment, and robust public health measures.
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