What is Known About Sudan Ebolavirus

Ebola was discovered in 1976 when two independent hemorrhagic fever outbreaks occurred in central Africa, one near the Ebola River in the country of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and the second in South Sudan, wrote GAVI on October 3, 2022.

Scientists later discovered that these outbreaks were caused by genetically distinct and often deadly viruses: Zaire ebolavirus and Sudan ebolavirus.

Both Ebola viruses are transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone infected with or who died from Ebola.

While Zaire ebolavirus has been responsible for more outbreaks and human fatalities of Ebola than any other strain, an outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus started in Uganda in September 2022.

The Ministry of Health of Uganda has declared an Ebola outbreak in several districts in Uganda.

As of yesterday, the Ministry of Health- Uganda Tweeted:

• Total cases: 62 (43 conf.)
• Total deaths: 28 (9 conf.)
• Case fatality rate (all cases): 45%

There are two licensed Zaire Ebola vaccines, Merck’s ERVEBO vaccine and Johnson and Johnson’s Zabdeno/Mvabea vaccine.

“Based on available evidence, the ERVEBO vaccine – used in the recent responses against Ebola outbreaks – will not provide cross-protection against the Sudan virus disease,” the WHO recently confirmed.

The good news is that several vaccine candidates against Sudan ebolavirus have already undergone Phase 1 human trials.

The WHO has said the risk of international spread could not be ruled out at this stage.

As of October 3, 2022, the U.S. CDC issued a Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, travel advisory.

The CDC says travelers to this area (Uganda) should avoid contact with sick people and blood or body fluids from all people.

Moreover, travelers should isolate themselves immediately and seek medical care if they develop signs and symptoms of Ebola. 

Other Ebola outbreak news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.com/Ebola.