Recent genetic studies of the Ebola viruses circulating in west Africa revealed that the current outbreak was sparked by at least two different Ebola virus strains. It is unclear whether these two strains were co-transmitted, that is transmitted into the human population at the same time, or whether they arrived separately but at a similar time. Furthermore, these studies suggest that the current strains of Ebola virus spread from within central Africa, perhaps through fruit bats, a known vector, into western Africa. Certain fruit bats known to carry Ebola virus have a population range from central to western Africa into the hardest hit regions.
Most concerning is that these studies demonstrate the virus to be changing fairly quickly. This includes the sites used to confirm infection and those targeted by vaccines and antibody-based therapies. If sufficient changes in the genome accumulate the virus may not only become hard to kill, but also hard to detect. Without current PCR-based tests, diagnose would be challenging and time consuming, leading to death of the patient before confirmation of infection and initiation of a treatment plan.
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This is a personal blog. The views expressed herein may not represent those of my employer.
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