Sudan Virus Disease outbreak prompts vaccine trials in Uganda

UGANDA—The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have teamed up with the Ugandan government to help manage an outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease (SVD), a virus closely related to Ebola.

The collaboration follows Uganda’s January 30 announcement of the confirmation of one SVD case; a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, and 45 individuals who had contact with the patient are currently being monitored for possible infection.

This marks the latest in a series of SVD outbreaks in Uganda, with the country having experienced five similar incidents in recent years.

The most recent outbreak occurred between September 2022 and January 2023, resulting in 164 reported cases and 77 deaths.

During that time, a WHO expert committee assessed potential vaccines for SVD and recommended evaluating them through clinical trials.

In light of the ongoing outbreak, the Ugandan government has taken swift action, including facilitating access to a potential vaccine and other treatments to control the spread of the virus.

As part of the preparedness measures, 2,160 doses of a candidate vaccine and treatments have been delivered to Kampala. This vaccine is being trialed to find an effective solution to the disease.

The clinical trials are a collaborative effort involving several key players, including WHO, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Makerere University Lung Institute, and the Ugandan Virus Research Institute.

 These trials are designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody and an antiviral treatment.

Research teams have already been deployed to the field, working closely with local surveillance teams to monitor the outbreak while awaiting the necessary approvals.

In addition to the vaccine trial, WHO and its partners are focusing on enhancing Uganda’s response to the outbreak.

 This includes identifying and tracking individuals who have had contact with confirmed cases, conducting epidemiological investigations, and boosting community awareness.

WHO has allocated US$1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to speed up these efforts.

The vaccine trial aims to evaluate whether the candidate vaccine can help control the current outbreak and offer protection against future threats.

 Special focus will be placed on individuals at the highest risk, such as close contacts of confirmed cases.

Mobile teams will conduct ring vaccinations in the affected areas to help stop the virus from spreading further.

Sudan Virus Disease is a severe illness that can often be fatal, with past outbreaks showing fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100%.

 While there is no approved vaccine or treatment yet, early supportive care has been shown to improve survival rates.

Through global collaboration and rapid action, Uganda is working to contain the outbreak and prepare for any future risks posed by the virus.

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