US Delivers Ebola Antibody Treatment to Uganda

Uganda has received an antibody treatment from the United States that could help prevent Ebola patients from developing severe disease and dying, strengthening the country’s preparedness against a possible resurgence of the virus. The treatment, known as MBP134, was handed over to the Ministry of Health as Uganda completed its 42-day Ebola-free countdown and was declared free of active Ebola cases.

The US Mission in Uganda said on Thursday that MBP134, developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical under a contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), can recognise and neutralise Ebola virus more quickly than the body’s natural immune response.

“Instead of waiting days or weeks for natural immunity to build, MBP134 can recognize and neutralize the virus immediately,” the mission said. The treatment has shown effectiveness against several Ebola species in pre-clinical studies, including the Bundibugyo species, which caused Uganda’s recent outbreak.

Although MBP134 is still under research and is not an approved routine treatment, the United States said it is being made available for compassionate use, allowing doctors to administer it to patients where appropriate while clinical research continues. The donation comes as Uganda faces a continuing threat from an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Bundibugyo species is circulating.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Mikael Cleverley said the treatment was intended to ensure Uganda can respond quickly if the virus crosses the border again. “As Ebola continues to spread in the DRC, the United States is making sure Uganda is ready to act fast,” Cleverley said.

“This donation reflects our commitment to Uganda’s health security, because a safer Uganda means a safer world. By helping Uganda act within hours rather than days, the United States is also protecting Americans. An outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere,” he added. 

Dr. Charles Ayume, Minister of State for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, received the treatment on behalf of the Ministry and described it as a critical safeguard for Ugandan families. The United States said the preparedness measure is particularly important because Ebola remains a disease for which there are limited approved treatment options for some species. 

The DRC outbreak has heightened the risk for communities living along the two countries’ shared border, where people regularly cross between Uganda and the DRC for trade, work and family activities. According to figures cited in the statement, by Wednesday the DRC had recorded 5,656 Ebola cases, including 2,715 deaths, making the outbreak the largest recorded outside West Africa. 

U.S. Embassy officials said the availability of MBP134 in Uganda means that, should Ebola re-enter the country, health workers could potentially deploy the medical countermeasure within hours rather than waiting days to access treatment.