As per reports, the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in the Ituri area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine yet.
Ituri Ebola outbreak, The Ebola virus strains being tested in labs around the world have mostly been Zaire-type strains because this was the one from which vaccines and treatments emerged.
Health authorities have stepped up efforts to control the outbreak, with cross-border screening increasing in neighboring Uganda and South Sudan.
Reasons Why Current Ebola Vaccines Are Ineffective
Based on health experts’ findings, the Bundibugyo virus strain is genetically distinct from the Zaire strain used in developing vaccines like ERVEBO.
Therefore, current approved vaccines will be ineffective in protecting the community from the new variant found in the Ituri district.
Moreover, monoclonal antibody treatment drugs intended for Zaire Ebola strains, such as Inmazeb and Ebanga, may not have any effect against the new strain.
Currently, healthcare workers are concentrating on providing symptomatic support, isolation, monitoring, and outbreak containment measures as scientists sequence and analyze the virus genome.
Signs and Symptoms of the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus
As health experts have indicated, symptoms may develop within 2-21 days after infection; however, for most cases, symptoms will appear 6-12 days after infection.
Early Signs
Initially, symptoms mimic those of typhoid or malaria infection and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Painful muscles and joints
- Weakness
- Sore throat
Late Symptoms
Later stages of the disease present:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Organs complications
In severe cases, hemorrhage, internal or external, may arise.
Kampala and Border Movement Risks
The health bodies in the region are especially worried about the movement across the border between the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.
A confirmed case of the virus was recorded among imported cases in Kampala, where a traveler coming from the DRC tested positive for Ebola. Nevertheless, authorities stated that community transmission in the Ugandan capital had yet to be confirmed.
Visiting travelers are advised to refrain from having contact with people who are sick or any contaminated products.
CDC Increases Surveillance in Affected Regions
According to the Africa CDC, teams have been deployed as part of an emergency response to help contain the outbreak.
Authorities have stepped up surveillance at borders and started using electronic screening for those traveling to the region.
At the same time, it is recommended to wash hands frequently, not to consume bush meat, and to comply with other recommendations of local authorities.
Conclusion
An Ebola outbreak in the eastern provinces of the country attracts increasing international attention due to the involvement of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or medication.
Although authorities note that the outbreak is limited to Ituri province, regional monitoring and travel precautions are being taken to prevent a wider spread.
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