Ebola outbreak in DRC a new strain of the virus

NEW genetic sequence analysis by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) has found that the newly identified Ebola virus circulating in Equateur province is different from the one that has infected more than 3 400 people in the eastern part of the country.

The DRC’s 11th Ebola outbreak was announced 10 days ago after a cluster of cases was detected in the Mbandaka area.

The INRB genetic sequencing analysis also found that the virus in the latest outbreak was distinct from the previous one that hit the same region in 2018.

The investigation was ongoing to determine the source of the new outbreak, but it was likely that it originated from an animal source, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

“We are not surprised to find no link between the current outbreak in

Mbandaka and the two previous ones. The ongoing Ebola outbreaks are far apart and there is a flight ban in place due to Covid-19,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.

“National health authorities supported by the WHO and partners have led an effective response against Ebola in eastern DRC despite huge challenges. We expect the same national expertise will be leveraged to overcome the current outbreak,” Moeti said.

The WHO has worked with the DRC ministry of health, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Red Cross Movement, Unicef and other partners over the past two years to strengthen capacity to respond to Ebola outbreaks in DRC.

“Ebola is endemic in animal reservoirs in DRC, so it was expected that new cases would emerge. While the new Ebola outbreak in Mbandaka represents a challenge, it’s one we are ready to tackle. With each experience we respond faster and more effectively,” Moeti said.