The Ebola outbreak may have started in Congo two months ago.

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that the Ebola outbreak in Congo may have been circulating for the past two months and is expected to continue spreading.

The outbreak of the Ebola Bundibugyo strain is directly linked to more than 130 deaths in eastern Congo, raising concerns among experts due to its delayed detection. This rare variant has spread in many densely populated areas over an extended period, complicating efforts to trace and isolate those who have been in contact with infected individuals.

In this context, the WHO announced on May 20th that the Ebola outbreak may have been circulating in Congo for two months before being detected. The global health agency also mentioned a four-week interruption period, from the time the first patient showed symptoms until the outbreak was officially confirmed.

Medical personnel check the body temperature of travelers at the Grande Barrier border crossing between Congo and Rwanda. Photo: Reuters

“Investigations are underway to determine exactly when and where the outbreak occurred. Given its current scale, we believe it may have started several months ago,” said Anais Legend, WHO’s virologist.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that so far, 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths have been attributed to Ebola. Currently, 51 cases have been confirmed in Congo through testing, along with 2 other cases in neighboring Uganda.

Meanwhile, the WHO's Emergency Committee confirmed that the outbreak in the Central African nation constituted a public health emergency but had not yet reached pandemic levels.

According to the WHO, the average mortality rate from the Bundibugyo strain is around 40%. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, this variant currently has no approved specific treatment or vaccine, and testing capacity is also limited. Experts at the health agency are considering two potential vaccines, but development could take between three and nine months.

(According to Reuters)

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dich-ebola-co-the-da-bung-phat-tai-congo-tu-2-thang-truoc-750979.html