Uganda and WHO confirmed a Sudan virus outbreak. Sudan virus, a deadly hemorrhagic fever related to Ebola, has no approved vaccines or treatments. With 9 confirmed cases and 1 death since February 2025, it spreads through bodily fluids. Experimental therapies are studied as climate change increases outbreak risks, prompting response.
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The Ugandan government and the World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease.
Sudan virus (SUDV) is a deadly virus causing Sudan virus disease (SVD), a hemorrhagic fever.
It belongs to the Orthoebolavirus family, the same as Ebola virus disease (EVD).
The virus was first identified in 1976 in southern Sudan (now South Sudan), hence its name.
A 2022 Sudan virus outbreak also in Uganda resulted in 164 cases and 77 deaths (a fatality rate of 47%).
Symptoms: Both viruses cause fever, fatigue, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding. Symptoms begin 2–21 days after exposure.
Transmission: Spread via direct contact with infected bodily fluids (e.g., blood, saliva) or contaminated surfaces.
Severity: Both have high fatality rates. Past SVD outbreaks saw 41–70% death rates, while the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa had a 40% fatality rate.
Genetics: SUDV and Ebola have distinct proteins and genetic makeup, meaning Ebola vaccines/therapies are ineffective against SUDV.
Outbreak Frequency: SVD outbreaks are rarer. The current outbreak (February 2025) is the 9th since 1976, with 9 confirmed cases and 1 death (index case: a 32-year-old nurse in Kampala, Uganda) .
Treatments: No approved vaccines or drugs exist for SVD. Experimental monoclonal antibodies (used for Ebola) are being researched, but efficacy is uncertain.
Climate Change: May expand the virus’s geographic range, increasing infection risks.
Global Cooperation: Efforts to contain outbreaks rely on international support, but political instability (e.g., U.S. policy unpredictability) could hinder responses.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements about the Sudan virus: 1. It belongs to the Orthoebolavirus genus. 2. It is transmitted through mosquito bites. 3. Vaccines for Ebola are effective against the Sudan virus. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The Sudan virus belongs to the Orthoebolavirus genus within the Filoviridae family, as explicitly stated in the context. Statement 2 is incorrect: The virus spreads via direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, not through mosquito bites (vector-borne transmission). Statement 3 is incorrect: Ebola vaccines are ineffective against the Sudan virus due to distinct genetic/protein differences, which prevent cross-protection. |
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