Ebola Outbreak Sparks Global Alarm as Cases and Deaths Rise
Ebola is back in the news as a massive outbreak continues to spread across parts of Africa. Health officials are now warning that the deadly virus could spread as COVID-19 did in the early stages if the appropriate precautions are not taken. This is what you need to know about the latest Ebola outbreak and why it has put experts around the globe on high alert.
Growing Ebola Outbreak Prompts Global Concern
Nearly 5,000 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the hands of the most recent Ebola outbreak. According to the European CDC, there have been 10,141 confirmed cases of the virus as of October 27. Of this number, 4,928 of the patients lost the battle.
The outbreak is being fueled by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus. There is no vaccine for this strain. The virus has not been limited to the Congo. Officials in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and France have confirmed cases involving the Bundibugyo strain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that it is reporting 50 to 80 new cases each day. Officials at the WHO called the rapidly evolving situation "very dire."
An Ebola vaccine was licensed during the outbreak that spanned 2018 - 2020. Over 300,000 people were vaccinated during this time, helping to stymie the spread. Because this latest strain does not respond to the vaccine or any of the other treatments found to be effective during prior outbreaks, the WHO is having to lean on contact tracing, isolation, and other mitigating measures to prevent the spread.
This concern has been echoed by Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC. Kaseya called the current outbreak “unprecedented,” comparing it to the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus got its start in China before spreading throughout the planet in the years ahead and killing millions. While COVID-19 is still circulating widely around the world, the death rate has been reduced dramatically as the virus becomes less lethal and vaccines have been developed.
Kaseya warned that “We want all countries to know that they are not safe if they don’t take appropriate measures." He went on to say that “Each country, not only in the African region, but all continents, must now increase the preparedness level and the possibility for treatment." Kaseya added that “It is the first time three African regions have been affected [by Ebola]. The geographic extension of this outbreak is unprecedented.”
Kaseya explained that COVID-19 should be used as a learning tool. While many nations first believed that they were not at risk of the virus infiltrating their borders, every part of the world was eventually touched by it. Kaseya wants world leaders to learn from the mistakes of COVID-19 and act quickly to stop the spread of Ebola, warning, "We don’t want to see the UK and other countries become the hotspot."
WHO took action on May 17, declaring the Ebola outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." This declaration was made when there were only 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected fatalities. The number of infected individuals more than doubled in the three days after this declaration. Recent data indicates that Ebola likely started spreading in February or March.
About Ebola
Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected individual. The virus can be spread regardless of whether the person is alive or dead. In addition to contact with the infected person, someone can pick up the virus by touching items that have come into contact with these bodily fluids. This includes clothing and bedding.
Unlike COVID-19, Ebola is not considered to be airborne. While it is not deemed to be highly contagious, it is highly infectious. This means that it just takes a small amount of the virus to result in infection.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that Ebola does not spread through asymptomatic individuals. In other words, the virus is solely spread when a person is displaying visible symptoms.
Ebola has a lengthy incubation period, with symptoms often appearing as late as 21 days after contact with an infected individual. The virus initially presents with what is known as "dry" symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, fever, and joint and muscle pain. From there, the patient begins to develop "wet" symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and, in some cases, bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes, and rectum.
Travel restrictions for people coming into the U.S. help to prevent the virus from entering the country. However, the virus can easily infiltrate areas with weakened health systems that do not have a robust contact tracing and isolation protocol.
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