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A fresh outbreak of Ebola has been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with eleven individuals affected, one of whom has sadly passed away. Here are some lesser-known details about the virus.
1. THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF EBOLAVIRUS.
There are five distinct species of Ebolavirus, each named after the location where it was first discovered: Ebola (previously known as Zaire), Bundibugyo, Sudan, Taï Forest, and Reston. With the exception of Reston, all of these originated in Africa. The Reston strain is named after a town in Virginia, where an outbreak occurred in 1989, followed by additional cases in Texas and Pennsylvania, all traced back to infected monkeys that were exported from a single facility in the Philippines. While all Ebolavirus strains affect both humans and nonhuman primates like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees, Reston does not cause noticeable illness in humans.
2. EBOLA TAKES CONTROL OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.
Researchers are uncovering just how devious Ebola can be. One of the reasons it is so deadly is the clever way it sabotages the immune system’s defenses, much like how an air force disables air defenses before sending in bombers. Ebola disrupts immune system components activated by molecules known as interferons. These interferons play a critical role in combating Ebola, typically through drastic measures such as apoptosis, or cell suicide. A 2014 study revealed that Ebola disables the signals cells use to fight back using a protein called VP24, which attaches to a specific protein that facilitates the movement of signaling molecules into and out of a cell’s nucleus. Without communication, the cell cannot summon help or instruct itself to self-destruct. The virus then takes over the cell, makes more viruses, and spreads them to other cells. It also produces ebolavirus glycoprotein, which binds to cells in blood vessels, increasing their permeability and causing leakage. This is a major contributor to the severe bleeding associated with late-stage Ebola infection.
3. BATS ARE BELIEVED TO BE EBOLA'S PRIMARY HOSTS.
CDCScientists suspect that the natural hosts, or "reservoir hosts," of Ebola are bats. Infected bats can transmit the virus to other mammals, including rats, primates, and humans. Although the exact origins of human exposure to Ebola are unclear, the most likely theory is that monkeys were the intermediaries. Local hunters in Africa probably contracted the virus while butchering the animals. Those who became ill then passed the virus on to their families and, in cases of unsanitary hospital conditions, to other patients. Ebola spreads from person to person primarily through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual or someone who has died from the disease.
4. MEDICAL DETECTIVE WORK IS ESSENTIAL TO STOPPING AN EBOLA OUTBREAK.
Stopping an outbreak requires the investigative skills of a homicide detective. This process, known as contact tracing, involves isolating Ebola victim A and interviewing them. Anyone who had close contact with A is placed in quarantine for 21 days. If they show no symptoms, they are released once the three weeks have passed. However, if they contract Ebola, they become victim B, and a new contact trace begins. If the investigators fail to track down everyone who had contact with the victim, the outbreak continues.
5. MALARIA AND EBOLA CO-INFECTION MAY INCREASE SURVIVAL CHANCES.
A surprising discovery was made by researchers studying the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa: patients infected with malaria alongside Ebola had a higher survival rate. While only 52% of Ebola patients without malaria survived, those co-infected with malaria had survival rates ranging from 72% to 83%, depending on their age and the amount of Ebola virus in their bloodstream. Although the exact reason remains unclear, the leading theory is that malaria alters the immune response to Ebola by reducing the intensity of a phenomenon called the "cytokine storm." This is the body's overreaction to Ebola, which can inadvertently harm the host while trying to eliminate the virus. By suppressing this response, malaria might improve the chances of survival for infected patients.
6. SCIENTISTS CAN ORDER EBOLA ONLINE.
Although there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for Ebola yet, numerous scientists are actively working to develop one. A key resource is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)'s BEI Resources, which provides research facilities with microbiological materials known as reagents. These reagents assist in creating diagnostics and vaccines for emerging diseases, including Ebola. To access these materials, scientists must be registered with BEI. Reagents are not live viruses, so they pose no risk of spreading. According to the biosafety level (BSL) scale, which ranks infectious diseases and sets lab safety protocols, Ebola-related reagents are classified as BSL 1—low risk. In contrast, live Ebola virus is classified as BSL 4—the highest risk. Scientists can order only one Ebola-related reagent at a time, with a limit of two orders per year.
