Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) : GS TIMES IAS-PCS

Why in News?

Nigeria has confirmed an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The patient is a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. Nigeria became the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 15 May 2026.

About Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD)

Causative agent: Bundibugyo virus, a species of the genus Orthoebolavirus.
Nature: A severe zoonotic disease belonging to the Ebola disease group.
Natural reservoir: Fruit bats are suspected to be the natural reservoir of the virus.
Initial transmission to humans: Infection is thought to occur through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, including bats and non-human primates.
Human-to-human transmission: The virus can spread through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials.
Healthcare-associated transmission: Transmission can increase in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are inadequate.
Unsafe burial practices: Direct contact with deceased infected individuals can contribute to the spread of the disease.