News: The Ugandan government and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a new Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreak in February 2025.
About Sudan Virus
- Caused by: Sudan virus (SUDV) is part of the Orthoebolavirus genus, the same family as the Ebola virus.
- Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting, and internal and external bleeding.
- Symptoms resemble those of Ebola virus disease. Sudan virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate.
- Transmission:
- Spread through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials.
- Healthcare settings with poor infection control are high-risk areas
- Diagnosis:
- Requires laboratory testing (PCR tests or antigen detection tests).
- Early isolation is critical even before confirmation.
- Treatment & Vaccines:
- No specific vaccine or antiviral treatment is approved for the Sudan virus.
- Phase 1 vaccine trial is underway for the virus.
- Supportive care: Fluid replacement, fever management, pain relief, and treatment of co-infections.
- Experimental vaccine candidates and monoclonal antibody treatments are under development.
- Control Measures:
- Contact tracing, isolation, and infection prevention protocols are the most effective containment tools.
- Weak healthcare systems and poor infection control accelerate transmission.
- Climate Change Impact:
- Climate change is influencing the spread of infectious diseases, including Sudan virus and other hemorrhagic fevers.
- Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever are also spreading to new regions, including Europe and North America.
