Ebola variant with no cure kills 135 in Africa outbreak

An Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain has killed at least 135 people across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as of May 19, according to the World Health Organization. The outbreak has accumulated 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, and 34 confirmed cases in the DRC alone, plus two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda. Health experts say what makes this situation particularly alarming is the complete absence of medical tools specifically designed to combat the Bundibugyo strain. Unlike the Ebola-Zaire strain, which has approved vaccines, there is no therapeutic treatment or immunization available for this variant. Brazilian health experts quoted by g1 say the risk of the virus reaching Brazil exists but remains low. Flavia Bravo, director of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations, stated that the WHO itself recognizes the chances of an epidemic or pandemic are still distant, and that the declaration of emergency was prompted by the need for countries to strengthen their surveillance mechanisms before the situation worsens. She emphasized that the virus does not transmit through the air or respiratory droplets, requiring more intimate contact with secretions, blood, or feces from an infected person. Andre Bon, coordinator of infectology at Hospital Brasilia, noted that while the risk of introduction to Brazil is low, vigilance remains important given the disease is highly lethal. The Bundibugyo strain was first identified in 2007 during an outbreak in Uganda that recorded 131 cases with a 32 percent fatality rate. This marks the third documented outbreak involving this strain. Health specialists explained that existing Ebola vaccines were developed for the Zaire type and offer no protection against the current variant in circulation. Treatment available is only supportive care, consisting of hydration, bleeding control, and symptom relief. Symptoms begin with sudden high fever, severe muscle pain, and gastrointestinal manifestations, potentially evolving to hemorrhagic signs including platelet drop, hypotension, and mucosal bleeding. Experts say while Brazil has never recorded an Ebola case, the country has experience managing hemorrhagic conditions like severe dengue and yellow fever, which provides clinical foundation for handling such cases.