Uganda is facing a new outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD), a severe and often fatal illness that belongs to the same family as Ebola. The World Health Organization (WHO) has swiftly responded to the outbreak, providing critical support to the Ugandan government’s response efforts.
As of January 30, there was one confirmed case and 45 contacts being followed up. The WHO has facilitated access to a candidate vaccine and treatments, with 2,160 doses of the vaccine candidate already in Kampala, Uganda. Research teams have been deployed to the field to work alongside surveillance teams, and clinical trial protocols are underway to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the candidate vaccine and treatments.
Uganda has experienced five previous SVD outbreaks, with the last one occurring in September 2022 and resulting in 164 cases and 77 deaths. The WHO has been working closely with the Ugandan government, academic institutions, and global experts to develop and implement a comprehensive response to the outbreak.
The candidate vaccine and treatments are being made available through clinical trial protocols, which will enable further documentation of their efficacy and safety. Those eligible to join the trial are individuals at highest risk of SVD, including close contacts of confirmed cases.
The WHO has allocated $1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support outbreak control efforts. In addition, various international partners, including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, are providing support to the response efforts.
While outbreaks of SVD are controllable without vaccines, the use of safe and effective vaccines can help accelerate control. The WHO and its partners are working tirelessly to support Uganda’s response to the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
WHO/Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
