According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), a mutation in the Ebola virus has tripled its lethality, making it an even greater threat to global public health.

The report, which was based on research conducted by international scientists, found that the mutation occurred in the Zaire strain of the virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak in West Africa.

What is the Ebola virus?

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as bats and primates) and spreads through human-to-human contact.

The first outbreak occurred in 1976 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, there have been several outbreaks in Central and West Africa.

How does the virus spread?

The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons or animals. It can also be transmitted through surfaces and objects contaminated with these fluids.

The virus can survive on surfaces for several days and remains active in body fluids for several weeks after the person has recovered from the illness.

What are the symptoms of Ebola virus disease?

Symptoms of Ebola virus disease include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Symptoms may appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus, but typically appear within 8 to 10 days. The disease has a high mortality rate, with an average case fatality rate of around 50%.

What is the current status of the Ebola outbreak?

The current outbreak, which began in December 2013, is the largest ever recorded, with over 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Despite efforts to contain the outbreak, it spread to several other countries, including Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom. The outbreak was officially declared over in March 2016. However, new cases continue to be reported in the region.

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How does the mutation affect the virus?

The mutation in the Ebola virus, which was identified in 2014, affects the protein that the virus uses to enter human cells. The mutation makes it easier for the virus to enter cells, which increases the amount of virus produced in the body.

This in turn increases the severity of the disease and reduces the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines.

What are the implications of the mutation?

The mutation in the Ebola virus has significant implications for global public health. The increased lethality of the virus makes it a greater threat to human life, particularly in areas with limited health infrastructure.

The mutation also makes it more difficult to develop effective treatments and vaccines, as existing treatments and vaccines may not be effective against the new strain.

What is being done to address the mutation?

Research is currently underway to understand the effects of the mutation and to develop new treatments and vaccines that are effective against the new strain.

WHO has established a Global Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint to accelerate research on emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola. The R&D Blueprint aims to identify priorities and coordinate international research efforts to better understand and contain emerging infectious diseases.

Conclusion

The Ebola virus mutation identified in 2014 has tripled its lethality, making it an even greater threat to global public health.

The mutation affects the protein that the virus uses to enter human cells, making it easier to enter cells and increasing the amount of virus produced in the body. This in turn increases the severity of the disease and reduces the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines.

While research is underway to address the mutation, the mutation serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases and the need for continued investment in public health infrastructure and research.