First laboratory confirmation and sequencing of Zaire ebolavirus in Uganda following two independent introductions of cases from the 10th Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, June 2019

Abstract

Uganda established a domestic Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) testing capacity in 2010 in response to the increasing occurrence of filovirus outbreaks. In July 2018, the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced its 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak and for the duration of the outbreak, the Ugandan Ministry of Health (MOH) initiated a national EVD preparedness stance. Almost one year later, on 10th June 2019, three family members who had contracted EVD in the DRC crossed into Uganda to seek medical treatment. Samples were collected from all the suspected cases using internationally established biosafety protocols and submitted for VHF diagnostic testing at Uganda Virus Research Institute. All samples were initially tested by RT-PCR for ebolaviruses, marburgviruses, Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. Four people were identified as being positive for Zaire ebolavirus, marking the first report of Zaire ebolavirus in Uganda. In-country Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and phylogenetic analysis was performed for the first time in Uganda, confirming the outbreak as imported from DRC at two different time point from different clades. This rapid response by the MoH, UVRI and partners led to the control of the outbreak and prevention of secondary virus transmission.

Detection of Sporadic Outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in Uganda through the National Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance System, 2017–2020

“…However, it is important to note that 2018 had heightened surveillance because of Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 22 When comparing individuals who tested positive for RVFV with those who tested negative from the same homesteads, statistically significant relationships were found for most sociodemographic factors (Table 3). Bivariate analysis using a x 2 test found that RVF positivity was associated with age, gender, geographic region of Uganda, being a butcher, and having contacts with livestock (Table 3).…”

Molecular characterization of the 2022 Sudan virus disease outbreak in Uganda

“…At UVRI, samples were processed for EBOD confirmation using previously reported methods ( 18 , 24 ). Briefly, the MagMax Kit (Applied Biosystems Inc., Vilnius, Lithuania) was used to extract RNA, followed by RT-PCR on ABI’s QuantStudio 5 or 7500 Real-Time PCR System instruments (Applied Biosystems), using the US CDC custom primers and probes that target the NP region for SUDV [EboSudBMG 1(+) 5′-GCC ATG GIT TCA GGT TTG AG-3′, EboSudBMG 1(−) 5′-GGT IAC ATT GGG CAA CAA TTC A, and EboSudBMG Probe 5′FAM-AC GGT GCA CAT TCT CCT TTT CTC GGA-BHQ1] ( 25 ).…”

Recent Advances in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Detection, Treatment, and Vaccination: Overview of Current Status and Challenges

“…For this reason, it highlights the need to develop new biomarkers to help diagnose CCHFV. Platelets, AST, ALT, first-step coagulation assays, LDH creatinine, and fibrinogen have all been identified as laboratory indications of CCHFV [68][69][70]. After the acute phase of the infection, which lasts 4-9 days after symptoms appear, active CCHFV infection may be identified by IgM or a substantial rise in IgG titer; however, severe and fatal cases often do not develop a detectable Ab response.…”