By Akampa Gilbert Kakurugu,
REGIONAL
The ministry of health in Uganda in conjunction with World health Organization, Gavi, a global alliance that aims at protecting people’s health by increasing equity in immunization and UNICEF is planning to kick start trials to vaccinate patients diagnosed with Sudan Ebola Virus in the country.
This was revealed yesterday by the Senior Communications officer, Ministry of health Emmanuel Ainebyoona during a one-day media orientation with Journalists from Kigezi Subregion on reporting Ebola outbreak in Uganda at Bunyonyi Safaris Resort in Kabale district. The orientation was organized by the Ministry of health, Uganda in partnership with World health organization-Uganda, African Center for media excellence (ACME) and UNICEF Uganda aimed at enabling correct dissemination of information and debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease and response
Ainebyoona told Journalists that Vaccines are mainly going to be used in high-risk districts of Mubende, Kasanda, Kampala, Kyegegwa, Bunyangabo, Kagadi, Wakiso and Masaka majorly on confirmed contacts. He added that once the trials give out good results, the ministry will declare the vaccine to be used officially and more doses will be available to protect people who are at risk of contracting the disease.
He revealed that the vaccines are being shipped from the United States, Salam institute of India, Sabin Vaccine institute and that any time they will arrive in the country saying that all the preparations to have them in the country are already done.
Ainebyoona told Journalists, that the fatality rate of Sudan Ebola Virus in the country is averagely at 48 percent adding that even when it is not well managed, it can even increase to 100 percent giving a loom for all patients to die.
According to Ebola outbreak statistics, 136 Cumulative cases have been confirmed in the country with 53 deaths and 62 recoveries
