WHO and partners enable access to candidate vaccine and treatments for outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease in Uganda

Accelerating Response to Sudan Virus Disease in Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are stepping up efforts to support the Ugandan government in its response to a recent outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD), a member of the Ebola virus family. This proactive response includes facilitating access to a candidate vaccine and treatments, which were prepositioned as part of Uganda’s outbreak preparedness strategy. A total of 2,160 doses of the vaccine candidate have been delivered to Kampala, Uganda, ready to be administered as needed.

Research and Preparedness

Research teams have been deployed for a clinical trial process, working closely with the Ugandan surveillance teams to monitor and facilitate approval processes. The clinical trials aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a candidate vaccine and associated treatments, including a monoclonal antibody and an antiviral. This structured approach is part of a concerted global effort, as seen in recent workshops designed to enhance research readiness for future filovirus outbreaks.

As of late January, authorities reported one confirmed case of SVD with 45 contacts under monitoring. Uganda has faced SVD outbreaks in the past, with the most recent one ending in January 2023 after 164 cases.

Collaborative Efforts and Expertise

WHO, along with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Makerere University Lung Institute, and the Ugandan Virus Research Institute, is spearheading clinical trials for tackling SVD. This initiative is bolstered by international collaboration—developers and academic institutions with an interest in filoviruses are part of this effort.

Eligible individuals for the vaccine trials are those in high-risk contact with confirmed SVD cases. Using the ring vaccination approach, mobile study teams will set up study sites in specific high-contact areas. The aim: not only to control the current outbreak but also to protect populations against future risks.

Funding and Strategies

WHO has allocated US$1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to expedite efforts against the outbreak. Despite the lack of standard vaccines for SVD, WHO continues to deploy comprehensive outbreak response measures, including contact tracing, epidemiological investigations, and raising community awareness.

The virus often has a high fatality rate, with previous outbreaks showing rates from 41% to 100%. However, early supportive treatment significantly reduces mortality.

The Future of SVD Control

While SVD outbreaks can be managed without vaccines, the utilization of effective vaccines could drastically shorten control times. Collaborative efforts led by organizations like the MARVAC Consortium and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium (CORC) are instrumental in these advances. Initiatives such as the one by International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) supplying the candidate Sudan vaccine and Gilead Sciences providing remdesivir highlight the impactful role of global partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sudan Virus Disease? It’s a severe illness affecting humans and other primates, caused by the Orthoebolavirus sudanense virus.

How effective is the interim response to the outbreak? A combination of rapid deployment of vaccines, enhanced contact tracing, and community engagement is showing promising results in managing the outbreak.

Are there approved treatments? As of now, there are no approved treatments, but trials of candidate vaccines and treatments are ongoing.

Did You Know?

Collaborative Research Ready? Global workshops have prepared research teams worldwide to respond efficiently to future outbreaks, which lays a strong foundation for proactive public health measures.

Pro Tips

Building public health resilience requires constant vigilance and preparedness. Ensuring readiness through pre-positioned case materials and potential vaccines can save countless lives in the face of an outbreak.

Looking for more insights? Explore related articles on our website or discover more about WHO’s efforts in combating infectious diseases for comprehensive information.

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