By now, you may have seen reports about Ebola in the news. While the current outbreak is thousands of miles from the UK, cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda are drawing international attention, largely because they involve a rare strain with no approved vaccine. This strain is known as Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).
At the time of writing, there have been more than 536 suspected cases, with numbers expected to rise further. At least 134 deaths are believed to be linked to the outbreak. One of those infected is an American missionary doctor who has since been transferred to Germany for treatment and isolation.
Ebola is one of the highly lethal viruses that inspired films such as Contagion, long before BVD began making headlines. Several factors make this outbreak different from more typical Ebola outbreaks. Here’s what doctors want you to know about the likelihood of contracting this rare strain – and the symptoms to be aware of.
How Deadly Is the New Ebola Strain?
Depending on the strain, Ebola can have a mortality rate of up to 90%. However, that figure is typically associated with the more common Zaire strain. The good news is that BVD appears to be less deadly.
‘Bundibugyo virus has a lower mortality rate, roughly 30%,’ says Lindsay Busch, MD, associate medical director of the Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Unit. ‘There have only been two previously documented outbreaks, and this one is already larger than both.’
So why the alarming death toll?
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Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, says delayed containment has played a major role.
The outbreak reportedly spread for weeks before it was detected because standard Ebola tests – designed to identify the more common Zaire strain – failed to pick up the Bundibugyo variant.
‘We are behind in trying to get this outbreak contained,’ he says. ‘The false negative tests were part of the problem.’
How Contagious Is Ebola?
While illnesses such as Covid-19 and flu can spread through aerosol particles, that’s considered extremely rare with Ebola.
‘The most common mode of transmission is direct contact with bodily fluids from symptomatic patients,’ explains Dr Russo. ‘An outbreak usually begins because someone became infected through interaction with fruit bats, which are considered a reservoir, or through eating bushmeat.’
Because Ebola frequently causes severe diarrhoea, viral particles can remain on contaminated surfaces and materials. Contact with infected bedding, clothing and medical equipment are all common ways the virus can spread.
There have also been cases of sexual transmission.
‘Ebola can persist in semen for up to a year afterwards,’ says Dr Russo.
What Symptoms of Ebola Should You Watch Out For?
Ebola symptoms are generally divided into two stages: earlier ‘dry’ symptoms and later ‘wet’ symptoms.
Early symptoms are vague and can easily resemble flu or Covid-19. They include:
- Fever
- Muscle and joint aches
- Severe headache
- Weakness and fatigue
- Sore throat
After four to five days, some patients progress to more severe symptoms, including:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained bleeding
- Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain and vomiting
Some patients may also experience internal and external bleeding, including blood in vomit or stools, bleeding from the nose and gums, and bleeding around injection or needle sites.
Could There be an Ebola Outbreak in the UK or US?
Public health officials from several health organisations have warned that the outbreak is likely to spread further before it is fully contained. However, experts say this particular strain is unlikely to trigger a global pandemic.
‘You have to come into contact with someone who is infected and symptomatic, or contaminated objects, to contract the infection,’ says Dr Russo. ‘People in countries like the UK or US are very unlikely to encounter these patients at this time.’
To stay updated on the outbreak, Russo recommends following guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and official public health bodies.
The sources to avoid? Social media speculation.
‘The unreliable sources are social media,’ says Dr Russo.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
