Ebolavirus outbreak

Ebola outbreak 2026 Viral haemorrhagic fever 30 known viruses All RNA viruses All zoonoses All damage the microvasculature Current outbreak, 30 - 50% infection mortality rate Can kill anyone, including young healthy adults ? Less children infected Where https://africacdc.org/news-item/africa-cdc-calls-for-urgent-regional-coordination-meeting-following-ebola-virus-disease-outbreak-in-ituri-province-drc/ Spreading in densely populated urban areas Central Africa, mostly Democratic Republic of Congo and now into Uganda. Land border transmission risk, Travelers from DRC Healthcare-associated transmission, (4 so far) Insecurity and humanitarian challenges, healthcare facilities attacked Lack of healthcare, lack of tests Hundreds of suspected cases, (500+) About 120 suspected deaths Many more potentially Could run for months or years. When First identified 1976 2014 to 2016, 28,610 cases, 11,308 deaths 17th outbreak in DRC 17th May 2026 (WHO) https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-public-health-emergency?utm_source=chatgpt.com Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. First case probably 24 April. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/how-world-failed-to-stop-deadliest-ebola-strain/ What Not the classic Zaire strain of Ebola Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain Previously relatively rare No licensed vaccines No proven targeted antiviral treatments How Zoonotic spillover (only endemic in Africa) Direct contact with the bodily fluids, contaminated materials/surfaces, dead bodies Funerals, super-spreader events. Lack of PPE HAIs Virus found in tissues, body fluids, in salvia (100% of cases), on the skin Prevention Stop bush meat Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, safe burials. Incubation period https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/216288-overview?_gl=1*i6h1oa*_gcl_au*MTEzODcyNjM2MS4xNzcyMDM2Mjg2LjE1MzE2ODQyMzAuMTc3OTA5MDg3Mi4xNzc5MDkwODg3 3 to 8 days, longer in secondary cases (up to 3 weeks) Onset of clinical symptoms is sudden First Severe headache (50-74%) Arthralgias or myalgias (50-79%) Fever with or without chills (95%) Anorexia (45%) Asthenia, (profound lack of strength / energy (85-95%) Then Gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain (65%) GI bleeds Nausea and vomiting (68-73%) Diarrhea (85%) Mucous membrane involvement, conjunctivitis (45%) Swallowing difficulties (57%) Bleeding from mucous membranes and puncture sites (40-50%) Rash, (15%) Eventually Tachypnoea, hypotension, shock, anuria, and coma Survivors Earlier antibody production, Stronger T-cell responses Lower viral loads than fatal cases. Some fatal cases show measurable antibodies before death, while others show very weak or absent antibody responses. Recovery often requires months Management Supportive Nutrition Hydration IVIs, electrolytes Haemodynamic support Oxygen support Treatment of secondary infections. Risk to Europe and the ECDC / CDC continues to monitor this outbreak Imported cases remain possible Surveillance is important Rapid identification and isolation essential Delayed detection is a risk