On November 7, 2014, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new strain of the Ebola virus was found. Although this strain is not the same strain found previously in Central Africa, it does however display the rapidness this virus can emerge, and ultimately spread. Researchers incollaboration with WHO experts, such as IRD, the Institut Pasteus, the CRNS, the CIRMF in Gabon and the INRB in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The CIRMF has performed whole genome sequencing of the virus responsible using a high-throughput sequencerthat is unique to Sub-Saharan Africa. Ultimately, this finding confimrs that these two strains are not related but however are two strains of Ebola. Moreover, it is said that the Congolese strain is very similar to those that "ravaged" in the DRC and Gabon between 1995-1997.
These results display that the Congolese outbreak is due to a local viral strain, which has ultimately been controlled. This epidemic occurred on July 26, 2014 when a woman became ill after encountering a dead monkey in the forest where she then cut the monkey opened. There have been 70 cases have been confirmed, which included 42 deaths awith a fatality rate of 60%. Due to the Congolese health authorities isolating patients, protecting the medical staff, instructing the populations to avoid all body contact, the epidemic appears to be contained in Central Africa.
I found this article to be interesting and informative. I was not aware of the finding of a new strain of Ebola, that is unrelated to the strain found in West Africa. The discovery of a new strain of Ebola is extremely imperative to the health and medical field as well as research because it can be understood the rapid alternation of genes and growth this epidemic may have. Hopefully, in the near future, this epidemic can be understood and isolated.
Main article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141107111003.htm
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