2,160 Experimental Sudan Ebolavirus Doses Deployed in Uganda

Without approved treatments or vaccines to prevent Sudan Ebolavirus outbreaks in 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have immediately supported the Republic of Uganda's response to a potential new outbreak by facilitating access to a candidate vaccine.

As of January 31, 2025, the first 2,160 doses of IAVI's rVSV Sudan ebolavirus vaccine candidate (IAVI C108, rVSVΔG-SUDV-GP) were in Uganda's capital, Kampala, where they were prepositioned as part of outbreak preparedness.

Following the confirmation that a nurse from the hospital in Kampala, 45 close contacts, including health workers and family members, are under monitoring for Sudan Ebolavirus disease (SVD) symptoms and will be offered the vaccine.

Additionally, the WHO has allocated $1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help accelerate outbreak control efforts.

Uganda has experienced five previous SVD outbreaks.

The last one was declared in September 2022 and ended in January 2023, with 164 cases and 77 deaths. During that outbreak, a WHO committee of external experts evaluated candidate vaccines. It provided recommendations on their suitability for evaluation in Uganda as part of a clinical trial against the SVD virus.

Sudan virus is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. It is caused by Orthoebolavirus Sudanese (Sudan virus), a viral species belonging to the same genus as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease.  

Case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks.

There are no approved treatments or vaccines for the Sudan virus, but early initiation of supportive therapy has significantly reduced deaths from Sudan virus disease.

As of February 2025, several Sudan Ebolavirus vaccine candidates are conducting clinical research.

In addition to the Sudan Ebolavirus outbreak, the U.S. CDC has included Uganda in recent polio and mpox Travel Health Advisories. The CDC recommends that anyone visiting Uganda in 2025 be fully immunized against these diseases.