Ebola is back in the spotlight... How has the virus evolved and where is it currently spreading?

Written by Omnia Hassan

The virus is back  Ebola Ebola Virus Disease has entered the circle of global health concern after new outbreaks were recorded in Central and East Africa, amid warnings of the spread of infection in some densely populated border areas.

And it is  Ebola It is one of the most dangerous hemorrhagic viruses in the world, with mortality rates in some strains reaching more than 50%, making it a constant source of concern for international health systems.

A new strain is raising concerns.

International health authorities have announced that the current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a strain for which there is not yet a fully approved vaccine, making it more difficult to contain the infection compared to other strains that have been dealt with previously.

The current health situation has also been classified as an international concern requiring stricter monitoring and rapid response measures.

Congo tops the list of hotspots

Health reports indicate that the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently the epicenter of the outbreak, particularly in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, where hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths have been recorded, including infections among healthcare workers. Transmission has also been linked to cross-border population movement and densely populated mining areas.

In Uganda, health authorities announced cases linked to the outbreak in Congo, with isolation and contact tracing operations continuing to prevent local transmission, amid tightened health controls in border areas.

Nigeria denies recording any cases

As part of preventive efforts, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced that Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease, calling on citizens to avoid spreading rumors and misinformation about the disease.

The Nigerian government also confirmed that it has raised the level of health monitoring at airports and border crossings and strengthened the readiness of health emergency teams.

Will the outbreak turn into a global crisis?

Although the risk of the virus spreading globally remains limited so far, experts warn that weak health systems and armed conflicts in some parts of Africa could hinder rapid containment efforts.

International organizations continue to closely monitor the health situation to prevent the current outbreak from turning into a large-scale epidemic crisis, especially with the continued movement of travel and movement between African countries.