The World Health Organisation (WHO) has elevated the risk assessment for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa to 'very high', following the identification of 750 suspected cases and 177 fatalities. The specific strain, known as Bundibugyo, is currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda, with a fatality rate of approximately one in three cases.
Vaccine Development Underway
Scientists at Oxford University are reportedly working on a vaccine for this strain, but it is not expected to be available for several months. The WHO has stated that while the risk within the Democratic Republic of Congo is now classified as 'very high', the likelihood of international spread remains low.
Expert Insights from Dr. Jen Caudle
US physician Dr. Jen Caudle, who has amassed over 310,000 followers on TikTok for her public health advice, has addressed key concerns regarding the virus. In a video, she explained: "Many of you have been asking how contagious Ebola is. There's some good news here. First of all, it is not airborne like other pathogens you are familiar with, such as COVID-19, so it is not spread through the air. Also, it requires direct contact with bodily fluids like diarrhoea, saliva, blood, and similar substances."
Dr. Caudle continued: "When it comes to how contagious or easily transmittable it is, this is also some good news. It is not as transmissible as COVID-19, measles, mumps, or even chickenpox. However, the unfortunate reality is that it is more deadly than those conditions. The mortality rate for Ebola is very high, and we lack vaccines or specific treatments for most strains. Only one strain has a vaccine and treatments; the rest, including the Bundibugyo strain we are seeing in this outbreak, do not. There are many reasons why this outbreak is not only deadly and dangerous but also concerning. We believe it has been spreading unchecked for some time. It is a tragedy."
Symptoms of Ebola
According to the UK Health Security Agency, symptoms of Ebola can appear suddenly between two and 21 days after infection. Initial symptoms are flu-like and include:
- High temperature
- Extreme tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
Later symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Skin rash
- Bruising and yellowing of the skin and eyes
In severe cases, Ebola can cause bleeding, including blood in stool and bleeding from various parts of the body.
