UN health chief says clinical trials for Ebola's Sudan strain to start within weeks

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday reiterated that clinical trials for vaccines to combat the Sudan strain of Ebola could start within weeks in Uganda.

In a virtual address to a high-level emergency meeting of Africa regional health officials in Kampala, Tedros said several vaccines were currently being developed that could deal with the Sudan strain.

The meeting was organized by the government of Uganda in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO to discuss cross border collaboration to respond to the Sudan strain of Ebola which has no proven vaccine.

Health ministers from 11 African countries attended the event.

Uganda’s Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said Uganda will in the coming week receive Ebola vaccines for the Sudan strain.

Aceng said the country will receive two vaccine types: 171 Oxford doses manufactured in the UK and 300 Sabin doses manufactured in the US, adding that more than 40,000 doses are expected next month.

Uganda’s Health Ministry has confirmed a total of 54 Ebola cases and 19 deaths.

Uganda's capital Kampala on Tuesday recorded the first Ebola death raising concerns over the spread of the virus.