The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease in Uganda, prompting an urgent response to contain its spread. It noted that coordination efforts with national health authorities are underway to swiftly manage the situation and mitigate further infections.
Senior public health experts and additional staff have been deployed to Uganda, with $1 million allocated from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies to accelerate response efforts. Medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, are being mobilised from WHO’s Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, emphasised the importance of a swift response. “We are working closely with Ugandan authorities to scale up measures for early detection, isolation, and treatment to curb the spread of the virus,” she stated.
One confirmed case has been reported—a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala—while 45 contacts, including health workers and family members, remain under close monitoring. No other health workers or patients have shown symptoms so far.
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO representative in Uganda, reassured the public of WHO’s commitment. “We are deploying all necessary resources and expertise to support Uganda in managing this outbreak effectively,” he said.
A rapid response is being emphasised, leveraging Uganda’s experience in handling public health emergencies to contain the outbreak. Measures are being scaled up to ensure rapid case identification, isolation, and care to curb the spread of the virus.
No licensed vaccines currently exist for Sudan virus disease. However, efforts are underway to coordinate with developers and deploy candidate vaccines once administrative and regulatory approvals are obtained. “While there are no approved vaccines, we are expediting efforts to introduce viable candidates as soon as possible,” Dr Moeti added. The disease, which belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, has recorded case fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. The last recorded Sudan virus outbreak in Uganda occurred in 2022.
Support measures include intensified surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement to ensure early detection and response. The public is encouraged to adhere to safety guidelines and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms occur.
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