What to Know About the Bundibugyo Virus, a Rare Ebola Species Causing an Outbreak in Congo
The species of Ebola virus causing an outbreak in Congo that has killed nearly 120 people is less common than other Ebola viruses, complicating the response due to the lack of specific treatments or vaccines. 'There’s nothing even close to ready for clinical trials,' said Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist who treated patients during the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. 'And so that means responders, healthcare workers and other aid workers are really back to the basics.'
What Is the Bundibugyo Virus?
Bundibugyo virus is a rare species of Ebola virus that has caused two previous outbreaks, all in the Congo River basin region, according to Dr. Tom Ksiazek, a virologist and veterinarian at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Special Pathogens Branch, which first identified the virus in 2007.
How Is the Bundibugyo Virus Spread?
The virus spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of infected or deceased patients, such as sweat, blood, feces, or vomit. Healthcare workers and family members caring for patients face the highest risk. 'So very often we see doctors and nurses among the first to be infected and to die,' said Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News.
Is Bundibugyo Less Lethal Than Other Ebola Species?
From limited outbreaks, Bundibugyo appears slightly less deadly than the Zaire virus, the most common species. 'I think a 30%-plus mortality rate is still quite scary, but it’s hard to say with a lot of precision because we don’t have a lot of experience,' Gounder said.
How Are Patients Cared for Without Treatments or Vaccines?
In previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, early identification allowed for a swift public health response: providing healthcare workers with protective equipment, isolating exposed individuals, and offering supportive medical care. Proper care, including intravenous or oral fluids, 'reduces mortality significantly,' Ksiazek said.
How Are Health Workers Containing the Outbreak?
Health workers are identifying and isolating cases, tracing contacts, and educating communities on avoiding the virus. Safe burial practices were crucial during the West African epidemic, as people became infected while preparing bodies for funeral rites. Ensuring healthcare workers have proper protective equipment is also critical. 'Of course, it’s problematic because vaccines are some of our best tools for combating infectious diseases,' said Lina Moses, an epidemiologist at Tulane University. However, other public health tools—education, contact tracing, and rapid testing—remain effective. 'It’s important to keep in mind that every single Ebola outbreak that has occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—we’re on our 17th now—has been stopped,' she said.
