A potential global health threat is emerging with the ongoing Ebola crisis, as experts report a significant increase in deaths, rising by 63 percent over the past week.
Authorities are concerned about the possibility of a pandemic as the number of cases continues to mount.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Ebola as a disease caused by viruses within the Orthoebolavirus genus of the filoviridae family.
Currently, six types of Orthoebolaviruses have been identified, with three known to cause major outbreaks: the Ebola virus (EBOV), the Sudan virus (SUDV), and the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV).
The most recent outbreak has resulted in 31 deaths, including at least four healthcare workers.
The WHO announced on Thursday, September 14, that 48 cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an update on Ebola’s potential threat to the United States.
They stated that no cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the US or outside of the DRC, and the risk of the virus spreading to the US is considered low at this time.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked, “It has been two weeks since the government of the DRC declared an Ebola outbreak.
“So far, 48 confirmed and probable cases have been reported, and 31 people have died.”
Currently, two patients have recovered, and 16 are receiving treatment.
Vaccination campaigns are underway for those exposed to the virus and frontline health workers.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, commented: “While we’re witnessing important improvements in the response, we’re still in the early days of the outbreak. A determined action is vital to consolidate these positive steps, gain ground against the virus, end its spread and protect the population.”
Ebola has been a recurring issue in the DRC since 1976, with previous outbreaks in 2018 and 2020 each resulting in over 1,000 fatalities.
More than 28,600 cases were reported between 2014 and 2016 in West Africa.
The virus spreads through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected animals.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
The current outbreak is attributed to the Zaire ebolavirus species, likely transmitted from bats to humans.
The WHO reported the first case as a pregnant woman who presented at the Bulape General Reference Hospital on August 20. She experienced high fever, bloody stool, excessive bleeding, and weakness, tragically passing away five days later. Testing confirmed Ebola on September 4.
Earlier this year, Uganda experienced an outbreak, and in February, two suspected Ebola cases were reported in the US after patients traveled from Uganda, though they were later confirmed not to have the disease.
In 2014, a traveler in the US tested positive for Ebola, marking the first American case, and sadly, he passed away a week later.