The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a $1 million emergency response to assist Uganda in containing the ongoing outbreak of Sudan virus disease.
The Sudan virus, a member of the same family as the Ebola virus, is a severe and often deadly illness affecting humans and primates. According to scientists, it belongs to the Orthoebolavirus sudanense species.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, confirmed that the funds will be drawn from the agency’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies to facilitate swift intervention. WHO is also preparing to dispatch medical supplies, including protective gear, from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi. Additionally, senior public health experts and other personnel from WHO’s Uganda office are being mobilized to support outbreak control measures.
Currently, no licensed vaccines exist for Sudan virus disease. However, WHO is working with vaccine developers to deploy candidate vaccines once all necessary approvals are in place.
Dr. Moeti commended Uganda’s rapid declaration of the outbreak and pledged WHO’s support in scaling up efforts to detect, isolate, and treat cases while preventing further spread. She emphasized that the presence of the virus in a densely populated urban area calls for an urgent and intensified response.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health recently reported the death of a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala due to Ebola. However, WHO stated that no other health workers or patients have shown symptoms.
Authorities have identified 45 individuals, including healthcare workers and relatives of the deceased, who are now under close observation.
Sudan virus disease has caused eight previous outbreaks—five in Uganda and three in Sudan. Uganda last experienced an outbreak in 2022. Fatality rates for the disease have ranged from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. While no approved treatments or vaccines currently exist, early supportive care has been shown to improve survival rates.