The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the risk level of the Ebola outbreak in Africa to ‘very high’ due to 750 suspected cases and 177 reported deaths. The virus, known as Bundibugyo, is lethal in about one-third of cases and is currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda. While researchers at Oxford University are developing a vaccine, it will not be available for several months.
Although the WHO has escalated the risk in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the likelihood of international spread remains low. Dr. Jen Caudle, a prominent healthcare professional with a large following on TikTok, addressed key inquiries about Ebola, emphasizing that the virus is not airborne like COVID-19 and requires direct contact with bodily fluids for transmission.
Dr. Caudle highlighted that Ebola is less contagious than other diseases like COVID-19, measles, mumps, and chickenpox, but it is more fatal. The mortality rate for Ebola is high, and there are limited vaccines and treatments available. The current outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain lacks specific treatments, posing a significant concern.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, Ebola symptoms can manifest suddenly within 2 to 21 days after infection, starting with flu-like signs. In severe cases, Ebola can lead to bleeding, including gastrointestinal and bodily hemorrhaging.