Sudan Virus Disease

About Sudan Virus Disease

Sudan Ebolavirus is a species of Ebolavirus that causes hemorrhagic fever. It is a deadly disease with occasional outbreaks that occur mostly on the African continent. Ebolavirus disease most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Infection with Sudan Ebolavirus is called Sudan Virus Disease (SVD).

Outbreak in Uganda
On September 20, 2022, the Ugandan Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of SVD in Mubende District, in western Uganda. The end of the outbreak was declared on January 11, 2023. More information about this outbreak can be viewed on the WHO website: Ebola Uganda 2022.

What do you need to know about Sudan Virus Disease?

Symptoms of Sudan Virus Disease
• Symptoms of SVD can be sudden and include: - Fever - Fatique - Muscle pain - Headache - Sore throat • Followed by: - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Rash - Impaired kidney and liver function • In some case, both internal and external bleeding can occur. For example, blood oozing from the gums or blood in the patient's stool. • Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts, and elevated liver enzymes.

Symptoms of Sudan Virus Disease

• Symptoms of SVD can be sudden and include:
- Fever
- Fatique
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
• Followed by:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Impaired kidney and liver function

• In some case, both internal and external bleeding can occur. For example, blood oozing from the gums or blood in the patient's stool.

• Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts, and elevated liver enzymes.

Transmission of Sudan Virus Disease
• SVD can spread through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) of a person who is sick with or has died from the virus. • SVD can spread from blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen) of a person who is sick with or has died from the virus. • SVD can spread from objects (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with or has died from the virus. • SVD can spread through semen from a man who recovered from SVD (through oral, vaginal, or anal sex).

Transmission of Sudan Virus Disease

• SVD can spread through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth) of a person who is sick with or has died from the virus.

• SVD can spread from blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and semen) of a person who is sick with or has died from the virus.

• SVD can spread from objects (such as clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment) contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with or has died from the virus.

• SVD can spread through semen from a man who recovered from SVD (through oral, vaginal, or anal sex).

The time interval from infection with SVD to the onset of symptoms is from two -to-21 days.

A person infected with SVD cannot spread the disease until they develop symptoms.

Healthcare Resources

Preparedness Checklist Evaluation and Managemenet of SVD Patients Ebola PPE Comparison

Laboratory Resources

CDC SVD Ebola Laboratory Testing TDH SVD Lab Training & Resources