New Ebola outbreak in Congo
Why in News?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) with over 60 deaths recorded so far.
The outbreak has raised global concern because preliminary investigations suggest the virus may belong to a non-Zaire strain of Ebola, against which currently approved vaccines may not provide protection.
| UPSC Relevance: GS-3 Science and Technology: Biology and Biotechnology Prelims: Ebola Virus Disease (key facts) |
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD):
- Ebola Virus Disease is a severe, highly infectious, and often fatal viral haemorrhagic fever caused by viruses belonging to the genus Ebolavirus.
- The disease was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Major Ebola Virus Species: WHO identifies three major Ebola virus species responsible for large outbreaks:
- Zaire ebolavirus: Most deadly strain. Responsible for major outbreaks in Congo and West Africa
- Sudan ebolavirus: Causes outbreaks mainly in Uganda and Sudan
- Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
Key Features of Ebola:
- Ebola is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Fruit bats are considered the most likely natural reservoir hosts.
- Human transmission occurs through:
- Direct contact with blood or bodily fluids
- Contaminated needles or surfaces
- Contact with infected animals or dead bodies
- Incubation Period: Typically 2-21 days
- Symptoms: Fever, Weakness, Muscle pain, Diarrhoea, can escalate to Internal and external bleeding and multi-organ failure.
- Fatality Rate: Ebola has an average case fatality rate of around 25–90%, depending on the virus strain and healthcare response.
Ebola Vaccines and Treatment:
- Ervebo Vaccine: Ervebo is the world’s first licensed Ebola vaccine.
- Developed Against: Zaire ebolavirus
- Limitation: Not approved for protection against the Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus.
Preliminary findings from the current outbreak indicate that it may involve the Bundibugyo or Sudan strain rather than the Zaire strain. A non-Zaire outbreak could complicate containment efforts.
Currently, there is no Ebola outbreak in India. However, India remains alert because international travel can spread infectious diseases rapidly. India had earlier issued travel advisories and screening measures during the West African Ebola outbreak of 2014-16.
UPSC PYQ 2015
Q. Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
(a) Syria and Jordan
(b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
(c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea
(d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam
Answer: (b)