Branda Francesco, Ciccozzi Massimo, Scarpa Fabio
Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Infect Dis Rep. 2025 May 1;17(3):44. doi: 10.3390/idr17030044.
. Sudan virus (SUDV) has caused multiple outbreaks in Uganda over the past two decades, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The recent outbreaks in 2022 and 2025 highlight the ongoing threat posed by SUDV and the challenges in its containment. This study aims to characterize the epidemiological patterns and phylogenomic evolution of SUDV outbreaks in Uganda, identifying key factors influencing transmission and disease severity. . We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing epidemiological and genomic data from SUDV outbreaks in Uganda between 2000 and 2025. Epidemiological data were collected from official sources, including the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, supplemented with reports from public health organizations. Genomic sequences of SUDV were analyzed to investigate viral evolution and identify genetic variations associated with pathogenicity and transmissibility. . The 2022 outbreak involved 164 confirmed cases and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 33.5%, with significant geographic variation in case distribution. The 2025 outbreak, still ongoing, was first detected in Kampala, with evidence of both nosocomial and community transmission. Phylogenomic analysis revealed the presence of two main genetic groups, representing Sudan and Uganda, respectively. The genetic variability of the Ugandan cluster is higher than that observed in Sudan, suggesting a greater expansion potential, which aligns with the current outbreak. Epidemiological findings indicate that human mobility, weaknesses in the health system, and delays in detection contribute to the amplification of the outbreak. . Our findings underscore the importance of integrated genomic and epidemiological surveillance in understanding SUDV transmission dynamics. The recurrent emergence of SUDV highlights the need for improved outbreak preparedness, rapid response mechanisms, and international collaboration. Strengthening real-time surveillance and enhancing healthcare system resilience are critical to mitigating the impact of future outbreaks.
苏丹病毒（SUDV）在过去二十年里在乌干达引发了多次疫情，导致了严重的发病和死亡情况。2022年和2025年的近期疫情凸显了SUDV持续构成的威胁以及控制该病毒的挑战。本研究旨在描述乌干达SUDV疫情的流行病学模式和系统发育基因组进化，确定影响传播和疾病严重程度的关键因素。我们开展了一项回顾性观察研究，分析2000年至2025年乌干达SUDV疫情的流行病学和基因组数据。流行病学数据从官方来源收集，包括乌干达卫生部和世界卫生组织，并辅以公共卫生组织的报告。对SUDV的基因组序列进行分析，以研究病毒进化并确定与致病性和传播性相关的基因变异。2022年的疫情涉及164例确诊病例，病死率（CFR）为33.5%，病例分布存在显著的地理差异。2025年仍在持续的疫情首次在坎帕拉被发现，有医院内传播和社区传播的证据。系统发育基因组分析显示存在两个主要基因群，分别代表苏丹和乌干达。乌干达集群的基因变异性高于在苏丹观察到的情况，表明其具有更大的扩张潜力，这与当前疫情相符。流行病学调查结果表明，人员流动、卫生系统的薄弱环节以及检测延迟导致了疫情的扩大。我们的研究结果强调了综合基因组和流行病学监测在理解SUDV传播动态方面的重要性。SUDV的反复出现凸显了改进疫情防范、快速反应机制和国际合作的必要性。加强实时监测和提高医疗系统的复原力对于减轻未来疫情的影响至关重要。
