BRAZZAVILLE, Congo – The World Health Organization (WHO) is launching an urgent and comprehensive effort to support national health authorities in swiftly containing and eradicating the outbreak in Congo.
This is response to today’s confirmation of a Sudan virus disease outbreak in Uganda, a virus from the same type as Ebola.
WHO is rapidly deploying senior public health experts and mobilizing country office staff to spearhead all crucial outbreak response measures.
The Organization has immediately allocated US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to expedite early action and is prepping essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, for immediate dispatch from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi.
Despite the absence of licensed vaccines for Sudan virus disease, WHO is actively coordinating with developers to swiftly deploy candidate vaccines, once all necessary administrative and regulatory approvals are secured.
Currently, one confirmed case (a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala) has been reported.
No other health workers or patients have shown symptoms of the disease. A total of 45 contacts, including health workers and family members of the confirmed case (deceased), have been identified and are under close monitoring. The detection of the case in a densely populated urban area necessitates an urgent and rigorous response.
“We commend the prompt declaration of this outbreak, and as we establish a robust response, we are intensifying efforts with the government and partners to rapidly identify, isolate, and care for cases, halt the virus’s spread, and safeguard the population,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Uganda’s extensive experience in tackling public health emergencies will be pivotal in effectively ending this outbreak.”
Historically, there have been eight Sudan virus disease outbreaks, with five in Uganda and three in Sudan. Uganda last reported an outbreak in 2022.
“Leveraging our extensive expertise, we are amplifying all efforts, resources, and tools to save lives and swiftly bring this outbreak to an end,” said Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda.
Sudan virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates caused by Orthoebolavirus sudanense (Sudan virus), from the same genus as the Ebola virus.
Case fatality rates for Sudan virus disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks.
There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus. However, early supportive treatment significantly reduces mortality rates.
