DRC’s Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest in country’s history

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak, according to public health officials. Since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, the virus has reportedly caused 2,325 deaths, surpassing the death toll of the country’s 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak.

The outbreak has also been described as the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record, with the UN warning of an extremely rapid pace of transmission and deaths.

Key Points

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses belonging to the Orthoebolavirus group.

At present, there is no approved vaccine specifically available for Bundibugyo virus disease, although several vaccine candidates are under development. One candidate uses technology similar to that employed in the development of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

About Ebola Disease

Ebola disease (EBOD) is a rare but severe and often fatal viral disease in humans.

Three viruses are known to cause major Ebola disease outbreaks:

• Ebola virus
• Sudan virus
• Bundibugyo virus

The average case-fatality rate is around 50%, although it has ranged from approximately 25% to 90% in previous outbreaks.

Early intensive supportive care, including rehydration and treatment of symptoms, can significantly improve the chances of survival. 

The first recognised Ebola outbreaks occurred in 1976, when two outbreaks took place simultaneously.

One involved Sudan virus disease in Nzara, in present-day South Sudan, while the other involved Ebola virus disease in Yambuku, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The disease derives its name from the Ebola River, located near the site of the 1976 outbreak in the DRC.

 Fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae are considered likely natural hosts of Orthoebolavirus.

The virus can spill over into humans through close contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. Potential animal sources include fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelopes and porcupines, particularly when these animals are sick or dead.

Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person, especially when the virus comes into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.