Several major factors contribute to this rapid transmission of the virus, according to Mr. Liesenborghs. First, the focus of the epidemic is located in an urbanized region, as well as a conflict zone. Then, the virus was detected quite late, compared to other epidemics. Finally, we are talking about an uncommon variant of the disease, which is not detected by a large majority of tests available in the region.
All these elements imply that the epidemic is now evolving quite quickly. “New information is coming at a rapid pace. The first positive cases were only confirmed on Friday, but the epidemic has probably been going on for longer. It has also spread more widely than initially thought,” underlines the researcher.
After Covid, the hantavirus revives the fear of pandemics
The Ebola virus was discovered by the Belgian Peter Piot at the end of the 1970s. This is why the IMT is closely involved in international research into this disease. Experts from the Institute, including Laurens Liesenborghs, will therefore travel to the DRC this week. Additional screening kits are also already being shipped.
“We will first and foremost examine what the needs are” on site, continues Mr. Liesenborghs. “Then we will need to determine how and where to provide the best possible support.” Concretely, the IMT wishes to quickly set up a clinical study, in collaboration with the WHO, in order to develop new treatments. “There is a need for specific drugs for this variant,” says the expert.
Indeed, there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment to stem the spread of the Bundibugyo strain at the origin of the current epidemic, which has a high fatality rate.
