What is Ebola, and have there been any cases in Europe?

Over 2,700 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since an Ebola outbreak was declared in May. More than 5,600 cases have been confirmed in the country in the past 100 days. A separate Ebola outbreak in Uganda was declared over last month, resulting in two deaths. Ebola is a rare but severe illness primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is transmitted from wild animals, particularly fruit bats, and spreads through contact with bodily fluids such as semen, saliva, blood, urine, or vomit of an infected person. Three viruses, Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus, are known to cause major outbreaks. The current outbreak in the DRC is attributed to the Bundibugyo virus. This outbreak marks the 17th in the DRC's history and has become its largest ever, surpassing the previous worst outbreak from 2018 to 2020. Efforts to control the spread have faced challenges, with many healthcare workers falling ill during treatment. Over 160 frontline workers have been infected, more than 40 of whom have died. Julien Harneis, the United Nations' senior Ebola co-ordinator, described the situation as “brutal,” noting the outbreak now covers an area larger than France. Médecins Sans Frontières has urged improvements in training for health workers and community leaders on identifying cases, along with enhanced infection prevention and control measures. Despite these calls, the outbreak continues to expand, raising concerns among public health officials. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for the Bundibugyo virus. However, the DRC government sought access to the Ervebo vaccine from the global Ebola virus disease vaccine stockpile, managed by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision. This group recently allocated 70,000 doses, with 50,000 designated for frontline workers and 20,000 for patients in a clinical trial. The World Health Organization noted that while it is unclear whether Ervebo offers protection against the Bundibugyo virus in humans, preliminary studies in laboratories and animals suggest some level of potential benefit. Regarding cases in Europe, two U.S. citizens who contracted Ebola in the DRC received treatment in Germany in recent weeks, according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC). Another imported case was reported by the French health ministry in June. The ECDC stated that although there are still gaps in surveillance and epidemiological data, the risk of infection for individuals living in the European Union or European Economic Area remains very low. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust containment strategies and ensuring adequate resources for affected regions. As the outbreak persists, international cooperation and support remain critical in addressing the ongoing challenge posed by the virus.