Situation Report: Sudan Virus Disease Outbreak in Uganda

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Sudan Virus Disease: Current Outbreak Status

On January 30, 2025, the Uganda Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD). As of February 10, there have been nine confirmed cases, including five healthcare workers, and one reported death. All cases are epidemiologically linked to the presumed index patient, a healthcare worker in Kampala. Importantly, no additional transmission chains have been detected, and there have been no new confirmed Ebola cases since February 8, 2025. During a briefing on February 13, 2025, Africa CDC provided an update on the outbreak, including a map of cases, contact tracing in progress, and ongoing investigations into the outbreak’s source.

Since it was first identified in Sudan in 1976, there have been nine outbreaks (including the current one) caused by Sudan virus (SUDV)—six in Uganda and three in Sudan. The case fatality rates of SVD have varied from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks. The latest SVD outbreak in Uganda was declared over in January 2023, with a total of 164 cases, including 77 deaths, reported.

What is Sudan Virus Disease?

Sudan virus disease belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease, and is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). It is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) spread through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a person who is infected with or has died from SUDV. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects, such as clothing, bedding, needles, and medical equipment. The risk of person-to-person transmission begins at the onset of clinical signs and increases with disease severity.

Symptoms include fever, myalgias, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and dehydration. With no approved treatments or vaccines, early critical care is key to survival.

Diagnosing SVD can be challenging due to its similar signs and symptoms as other viral hemorrhagic fevers (Lassa Fever, Marburg Virus) and more common infectious diseases such as malaria and influenza.

There is no FDA-approved vaccine or treatment for Sudan virus disease (SVD). The licensed Ebola vaccine (ERVEBO®) only protects against Ebola virus and is not expected to work against Sudan virus. However, some therapies in clinical trials have shown promise in animal studies.

Due to the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for SVD, early detection and supportive care are key to improving patient outcomes. Treatment for Ebola disease focuses on managing complications like dehydration, shock, bleeding, and organ failure. Care includes IV fluids, blood pressure support, oxygen therapy, pain management, nutrition, and treating infections or existing conditions. Severe cases may require large amounts of IV fluids due to dehydration and fluid loss. Learn more about clinical care on the CDC website.

CDC Health Advisory and U.S. Monitoring

On February 6, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory regarding the outbreak. As of now, no suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States or outside Uganda. The advisory provides recommendations for health care personnel to support case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.

On February 5, 2025, the CDC issued a Travel Health Notice Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions for people traveling to Uganda.

On February 16, 2025, two patients in New York City were evaluated at New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue for fever and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, neither had risk factors or exposure to Ebola and were subsequently discharged.

Precautionary Measures for Healthcare Providers

Given other viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in East Africa, the CDC is urging clinicians to obtain a detailed travel history from patients, particularly those who have visited affected areas in Uganda. Early identification of SVD in the differential diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient care, diagnostics, and infection control. Healthcare workers should adhere to the Identify-Isolate-Inform protocol to manage suspected cases of high-consequence infectious diseases like SVD:

1. Identify: Recognize symptoms in patients with recent travel to affected regions.
2. Isolate: Implement strict infection control measures immediately.
3. Inform: Notify public health authorities to initiate response protocols.

U.S. healthcare facilities should review and update their protocols for handling viral hemorrhagic fevers. Resources such as the CDC guidelines, WHO recommendations, and tools from NETEC, including the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Preparedness Checklist, are valuable for preparedness.

EMS Preparedness & Guidance

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are unlikely to encounter SVD cases during routine operations. However, the risk increases with international travel from affected areas. EMS and healthcare facilities should adopt robust infection control practices and ensure their teams are trained in the identify, isolate, and inform strategy. If you suspect a patient may be infected with SVD or another high-consequence infectious disease (HCID), wear proper PPE and take infection control measures. Learn more ENS strategies for Ebola.

NETEC offers a free interactive module, EMS Biosafety Transport: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Ebola Virus Disease, to help you develop the competencies and the confidence to manage and transport patients with high-consequence infectious diseases.

For more detailed guidance, explore NETEC’s resources, including the “Health Care Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Preparedness Checklist” and the “Identify, Isolate, and Inform Tip Sheet.”