An outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of Congo was an unwelcome surprise today. Since we’ve been plagued by all the newly minted hantavirus experts, we thought we’d try to at least lay out the basics.
Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) is a type of ebolavirus that has caused outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC. It causes the same type of disease that Ebola virus (what you all think of when you think of Ebola) and Sudan virus (another ebolavirus that is very similar to Ebola virus in terms of symptoms and mortality. So far there are nearly 250 suspected cases and 65 deaths. Of the samples that were tested from people who died, the majority were positive.
It’s unusual for an outbreak to get this large before being reported. This is partially due to security and violence in this region of DRC, but it’s hard to believe this wasn’t partially due to the US abandoning its global health leadership. A recent study in Science showed that USAID cuts led directly to destabilization and an increase in violence. We are already seeing the consequences of the devastation this regime has wrought, and to watch it happen with an ebolavirus is truly horrific.
Although Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS had to leave early, Dr. Angela Rasmussen stuck around to explain Ebola virus disease pathogenesis for those who are anxious about it being airborne (thanks, hantavirus discourse). Although you can be infected by inhaling ebolaviruses, people are not generating infectious aerosols by breathing. Because of the complexity of Ebola (and Bundibugyo) pathogenesis, it is highly unlikely that these viruses will evolve to shed into the upper airway and become capable of person-to-person aerosol transmission.
Join us at 5 pm ET for another update with our usual show TAKING SHOTS. We’ll be joined by global health security expert Saskia Popescu. Subscribe to me, Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, and The Save America Movement to learn more!
Thank you Lynn L, Karlee…🐸, CicifromCincy, Anna Kinney, Denis Nash (hi Denis!!!), and many others for tuning in to hear about this developing Ebola situation! Join us for TAKING SHOTS at 5 pm ET today!
