No vaccine as Congo ebola outbreak worsens, over 100 reported dead

Health experts have warned that the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be far deadlier than currently reported, amid concerns that there is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the infections.

According to experts monitoring the outbreak as reported by Africanews, more than 100 people have already died, although the actual death toll is feared to be much higher due to delays in identifying and containing the disease.

Associate Professor of Biology at Penn State University Nita Bharti said the slow detection of the outbreak allowed the virus to spread rapidly before containment measures could be implemented.

“The death toll is probably much higher than we currently believe because it took longer to identify the outbreak and that allowed it to spread faster,” Bharti said.

Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, which has an approved vaccine, the Bundibugyo strain currently has no licensed vaccine, raising fears among public health experts.

Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease spread through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, vomit and semen.

Health workers and family members caring for infected patients are considered to be at the highest risk of infection.

Experts said early symptoms of Ebola often resemble common illnesses such as malaria or influenza, making detection difficult in the initial stages.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain and headaches before progressing to more severe complications.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are four Ebola species known to cause illness in humans, although vaccines currently exist for only some strains.

Health authorities in Congo and international partners are continuing efforts to contain the outbreak through surveillance, isolation measures and public awareness campaigns.

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