Sudan Virus Disease

Sudan Virus Disease Latest News

Recently, the Ugandan government and the World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease.

About Sudan Virus Disease

• It is a viral hemorrhagic fever disease, belonging to the same family as Ebola virus disease.
• It was first identified in southern Sudan in June 1976.
• It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). SUDV is enzootic and present in animal reservoirs in the region.
• It is a severe disease with high case fatality.

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Symptoms of Sudan Virus Disease

• It is typically characterized by acute onset of fever with non-specific symptoms/signs (e.g., abdominal pain, anorexia, fatigue, malaise, myalgia, sore throat) usually followed several days later by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and occasionally a variable rash. Hiccups may occur. 
• Severe illness may include hemorrhagic manifestations (e.g., bleeding from puncture sites, ecchymoses, petechiae, visceral effusions), encephalopathy, shock/hypotension, multi-organ failure

Transmission of Sudan Virus Disease

Person-to-person transmission occurs by direct contact with blood, other bodily fluids, organs, or contaminated surfaces and materials with risk beginning at the onset of clinical signs and increasing with disease severity.

Treatment for Sudan Virus Disease

There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus, but early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly improve health conditions.

Sudan Virus Disease FAQs

Q1: What are the infectious diseases in Sudan?

Ans: Sudan’s conflict has reignited malaria, cholera, and measles outbreaks.

Q2: What causes the Ebola virus?

Ans: Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus.

Q3: What are the symptoms of the Sudan virus?

Ans: Fever, aches and fatigue with potential progression onto diarrhoea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.

Source: DTH