Sudan virus disease is a type of Ebola that has caused several outbreaks in Africa. The latest outbreak was declared in Uganda after a nurse in Kampala presented with symptoms and died. Six more cases have been identified, all close contacts of the index case.
The current outbreak is different from other forms of Ebola due to its genetic material and protein structure, making it not fully protected by existing vaccines. To combat this, scientists have launched a trial for a new vaccine candidate against Sudan virus. The trial uses a similar platform as an approved Ebola vaccine but encodes a surface protein specific to Sudan virus.
Previous attempts at developing a vaccine against Sudan virus were hindered due to limited outbreaks and funding. However, Gavi’s Advanced Purchase Commitment program incentivized manufacturers to invest in research and development. As a result, several candidates are currently in development, including one that has already entered clinical trials.
The new trial in Uganda involves 2,160 doses of the vaccine candidate, which was prepositioned in the country during the 2022 outbreak. The goal is to provide protection to those at high risk of infection through ring vaccination strategies. However, challenges remain, such as starting the trial early enough and ensuring sufficient data for efficacy testing.
Uganda’s preparedness for dealing with outbreaks, combined with the expertise of international organizations like WHO and Gavi, has been instrumental in responding to this latest outbreak. As the trial progresses, it will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of this new vaccine candidate against Sudan virus disease.
Source: https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/what-sudan-virus-disease-and-how-does-it-differ-other-forms-ebola