New animal spillover likely behind Congo-Uganda Ebola outbreak, study finds

A new study suggests the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda was caused by a previously unseen variant of the Bundibugyo virus, pointing to a recent transmission from animals to humans.

Researchers from Congo, Uganda, Belgium and other countries analysed virus samples from 22 patients and found that the strain was genetically distinct from those responsible for previous Bundibugyo outbreaks in 2007 and 2012, according to Reuters.

The findings, published in Nature Medicine, indicate that the outbreak likely began with a new animal-to-human transmission before spreading between people. However, the study did not identify the animal from which the virus originated.

Genetic analysis also confirmed that cases detected in Uganda were linked to the outbreak in Congo.

The researchers said broader access to testing and virus sequencing could help identify future Ebola outbreaks earlier and strengthen efforts to contain them.

There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for Bundibugyo Ebola, although candidate vaccines and treatments are being developed.

The outbreak was declared on May 15. According to the latest government figures, it has so far resulted in 4,381 confirmed cases and more than 2,000 deaths.

By Aghakazim Guliyev