A man in the Democratic Republic of Congo who recovered from Ebola suffered a relapse nearly six months later, infecting 91 others before dying, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The case highlights the virus's ability to persist in the body after symptoms subside and underscores the need for survivor monitoring.
The 25-year-old taxi driver had been vaccinated in December 2018 after contact with an Ebola patient. He developed symptoms in June 2019 and was treated, testing negative twice before discharge. However, he did not return for follow-up semen testing after an initial negative result in August. In late November, he fell ill again, sought care from a traditional healer, and died the next day after being transferred to an Ebola treatment unit.
Genetic analysis confirmed the second infection was a relapse, not a new infection. The man transmitted the virus to 29 people, who then spread it to 62 more. Researchers believe his initial treatment with antibodies may have prevented a strong immune response, leaving him vulnerable to recurrence.
Dr Placide Mbala-Kingebeni of the University of Kinshasa noted that relapses are rare but becoming more concerning as survivor numbers grow. The study adds to evidence that Ebola can linger in bodily fluids, such as semen, for extended periods. Experts stress that this phenomenon is unrelated to Covid-19, as the viruses are fundamentally different.
