The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) likely began with a new transmission of the virus from animals to humans, rather than from strains linked to previous outbreaks, according to a new study.
Researchers found that the outbreak involves a previously unrecorded variant of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. The finding suggests the virus may have crossed from an animal host into humans before spreading between people.
The study involved researchers from the DRC, Uganda, Belgium and other countries, who analysed virus samples from the outbreak.
The findings highlight the continuing risk of diseases jumping from animals to humans and the importance of surveillance to detect such transmissions early.
