US Donates Ebola Antibody Treatment to Uganda
The United States government has delivered MBP134 antibody treatment to Uganda’s Ministry of Health to help the country respond quickly if Ebola cases return.
Minister of State for Health in charge of Primary Health Care Dr Charles Ayume received the treatment, which is ready for immediate use if a new case is detected.
Why the treatment matters
Uganda currently has no active Ebola cases, but the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo species in neighbouring DR Congo remains a serious risk.
The press release says the DRC outbreak had recorded more than 4,500 confirmed cases and over 2,000 deaths by mid-August 2026, making it the largest Ebola outbreak recorded outside West Africa.
MBP134 was developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical under a contract with the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. It works by recognising and neutralising the Ebola virus, and has shown effectiveness against multiple Ebola species, including Bundibugyo, in pre-clinical studies.
The treatment is available for compassionate use and is not commercially sold, meaning doctors could use it to treat patients if Ebola is detected in Uganda.
US Chargé d’Affaires Mikael Cleverley said the donation is intended to help Uganda respond within hours rather than days if a new case emergency
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