Ebola Outbreak in Congo Began Months Earlier Than Declared

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, declared in mid-May, actually began several months earlier in February, according to the World Health Organization, a delay that has allowed the virus to spread faster than any previous outbreak on record. Genetic sequencing revealed the earlier start date, with initial cases having been mistakenly diagnosed as other illnesses such as malaria and typhoid.

The outbreak has now reached 4,200 confirmed cases and more than 1,900 deaths, according to recent government figures. WHO regional director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi explained that the sequencing was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Steve Ahuka, head of virology at Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research. "So we are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us," Janabi said at a news conference.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. Early testing was conducted for the more common type of Ebola, contributing to the initial diagnostic delays. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated last week that Ebola is spreading faster than efforts to fight it, with new cases doubling in...