Congo-Kinshasa: US Gives Uganda Experimental Ebola Treatment As DRC Outbreak Continues to Spread
[Nile Post] The United States has given Uganda doses of an experimental Ebola treatment as the country strengthens preparations against possible new infections from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a major Bundibugyo virus outbreak continues to spread.
The United States has supplied Uganda with experimental Ebola treatment, MBP134, as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to experience a major Bundibugyo virus outbreak. This comes after Uganda successfully controlled a 2026 Bundibugyo virus outbreak, but remains at risk of imported infections due to the ongoing DRC outbreak.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths in its previous outbreak. The DRC outbreak, declared in May, has spread to six provinces and reportedly 5,584 confirmed cases and 2,680 deaths as of August 23. The outbreak's expansion is attributed to population movement and cross-border travel between Uganda and DRC, making early detection and preparedness crucial.
MBP134, developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical with U.S. support, is a monoclonal antibody treatment candidate that has completed a Phase 1 clinical safety study and shows activity against several Ebola virus species, including Bundibugyo virus. Although it is not an approved Ebola cure, the U.S. has supported its use in the current outbreak response and research.
The donation aims to help Uganda respond quickly to any new Ebola cases, but does not replace essential Ebola control measures such as early detection, rapid isolation, contact tracing, infection prevention, and cross-border surveillance.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
