Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said considering that a number of people picked from the community have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID -19), they have resolved that samples be collected from suspects wherever they are. Delivering an update on the COVID …
Read More »UVRI to limit testing to people with Covid-19 consistent symptoms
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) says only people who fit in the criteria for exposure to a confirmed case or travel and have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be tested for the virus. This is to ensure that testing kits are not wasted …
Read More »Private providers could start conducting COVID-19 tests
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Private healthcare providers could start offering COVID-19 tests to patients that approach them thanks to the procurement of new rapid test kits from China. Currently, the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) has the sole mandate of conducting COVID-19 tests. It is from here that results …
Read More »Coronavirus: Three drugs tried, cure far from being identified-Experts
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Scientists are considering using the discontinued malaria drug Chloroquine, HIV drug Lopinavir and the Ebola drug Remdesivir among the treatments for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, a researcher and Executive Director of the Uganda Virus Research Center told journalists that while the effectiveness …
Read More »UVRI to conduct new HIV vaccine trial in May
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Virus Research Institute will in May conduct a new HIV vaccine trial. Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu the Executive director of Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), says that the participants will be given Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs to guard them against possible infection during …
Read More »Halted HIV vaccine trials were not a waste of time-UVRI
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute-UVRI Dr Pontiano Kaleebu has allayed fears that the HIV vaccine trials which were halted early this week in South Africa were not a waste of time. On Monday, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases …
Read More »PAC orders Uganda Virus Research Institute to evict retired staff
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Public Accounts Committee has ordered the Uganda Virus Research Institute – UVRI to evict retired staff from its staff quarters. Nandala Mafabi, the committee’s chairperson made the directive after the UVRI director Pontiano Kaleebu and his delegation appeared to respond to audit queries …
Read More »USAID boosts Ebola fight with UGX 5.5 billion
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has boosted Uganda’s Ebola efforts with a donation of 5.5 Billion shillings. The committed funds will be spent in supporting the Ministry of Health conduct surveillance at its border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Patricia Rader, …
Read More »UVRI demands funding for research
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Virus Research Institute-UVRI has asked the government to fund research activities. UVRI carries out research on communicable diseases in man and animals, with emphasis on viral transmitted infections. The institute also hosts the regional laboratory for tests on severe infections. Steven Balinandi, …
Read More »Ebola Zaire tests Uganda’s response
WHO warns big outbreaks becoming `new normal’ The Independent | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | On June 9, a 5-year old boy travelled from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with his mother after attending a burial of his grandfather who succumbed to Ebola; the deadly hemorrhagic fever. The grandfather was a pastor …
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