Sudan Ebolavirus

Sudan Ebolavirus FAQ

What is the Sudan ebolavirus?

Sudan ebolavirus is one of six identified strains of ebolavirus virus disease and is lesser known than its cousin, Ebola Zaire. Ebola virus disease is known as a hemorrhagic fever virus because it can disrupt the body’s clotting system and lead to internal bleeding.

Per the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebolavirus has an average fatality rate of around 50%. Depending on location, strain, circumstances, and response effectiveness, the fatality rate of past outbreaks has ranged from 25% to 90%.

What are the symptoms?

Ebolavirus symptoms tend to be the same across all strains. Symptoms may vary, but symptoms typically start with fever, aches, pains, and fatigue. Other common symptoms include vomiting, unexplained bleeding, and diarrhea.

How quickly does a person experience symptoms after infection?

It can take between 2 to 21 days for symptoms to appear once a person has been infected, per WHO. The disease is not contagious until a person starts to develop symptoms.

How does a person get infected with Sudan ebolavirus?

The disease is transmitted to humans by infected animals, including fruit bats. Once a person is infected, the virus can spread to others through close personal contact or contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, sweat, tears, mucus, vomit, feces, breast milk, urine, and semen, according to the CDC.

With no approved treatments, isolation remains the centerpiece of controlling this disease.

Where have cases of Sudan ebolavirus been found?

WHO reports there have been 8 outbreaks of the Sudan ebolavirus — 5 in Uganda and 3 in Sudan. The United Kingdom government reports that 1 case of Sudan ebolavirus was detected in England in 1976. Cases of other strains of ebolavirus have also been reported in Europe and the United States over the years, though it primarily remains a threat in sub-Saharan Africa.

When was the last outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus?

Sudan ebolavirus most recently struck Uganda in 2022, killing 55 people. Sabin’s vaccine was the first to arrive in Uganda after the WHO included it as one of three vaccines for possible use in an outbreak trial in the country. The outbreak ended before the trial could start.

How can people protect themselves against infection?

Those visiting or living in affected communities should avoid contact with symptomatic patients and/or their bodily fluids, avoid contact with corpses of deceased patients, and take basic safety precautions such as hand-washing.

Is there a vaccine or treatment for the disease?

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Sudan ebolavirus disease. Sabin is one of a small handful of organizations currently developing a vaccine.

What is the status of Sabin’s investigational Sudan ebolavirus vaccine?

Sabin has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial for its Sudan ebolavirus vaccine. This first trial will be held in two country sites — first, Uganda, followed by Kenya. A second Phase 2 trial will follow, in the USA.  Initial results from the African portion of the trials are expected next year.