While Uganda is preparing to receive trial vaccines for the Ebola Sudan viral strain that is ravaging districts in central Uganda, the United States, says that there is limited capacity to produce the much-needed drug. According to the US, only fewer than a hundred vaccine vials are available globally.
Dr. Atul Gawande, the USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health who is on a three-day visit to Uganda told journalists at a news conference Wednesday that plans to ship in the vaccines are being finalized and the consignment will soon be in the country. He, however, noted that only limited doses are available.
The Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, said all the necessary approvals had been concluded noting that a vaccine will be a great addition to the response efforts to the epidemic that has so far affected 130 people and claimed the lives of 43 others.
Currently, health workers are only providing supportive care treating symptoms as they manifest with no specific treatments available for Ebola Sudan Strain victims.
By Wednesday, forty-five people had recovered and were discharged from the different treatment units.