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Rachel V Thomas

Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak: UK Scientists Identify 23 Unique Mutations

A team of UK scientists has identified 23 unique mutations in the ongoing <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/ebola">Ebola</a> outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, led by the Bundibugyo virus.

The findings, led by scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, are based on an analysis of 10 available Bundibugyo virus sequences from the Congo and Uganda associated with the current 2026 outbreak, according to Virological.org — an online discussion forum for pathogenic virus sequence data. The forum was launched in November 2014.

The sampled viruses appear to share a most recent common ancestor dating to early-to-mid March 2026, the researchers said.

"The sampled viruses are already genetically diverse. We identified 23 unique mutations across the 10 sequences," said Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg from Imperial College London and Mahan Ghafari from the University of Oxford.

"This level of diversity suggests that the sampled viruses do not represent the very beginning of transmission, but instead reflect an outbreak that had already been circulating, at least partly undetected, for several weeks before sequences became available," they added.

However, the authors noted that "this is an informal analysis and is not intended as a formal preprint or manuscript in its current form" and urged that the estimates "should be interpreted cautiously."

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National IMA COVID Task Force and Past President of the Indian Medical Association, Cochin, told HealthandMe that the scientists used a technique known as a molecular clock to analyze genetic mutations in Bundibugyo Ebola virus samples from infected people and compared them with the same virus found in wild animals.

"Their analysis suggests the virus likely began circulating in humans around March 2026, which is several weeks before the first cases were detected. This delay is not surprising because early Ebola symptoms can resemble common illnesses such as malaria, dengue, and other viral fevers," the expert said.

In addition, the Bundibugyo strain can be difficult to identify with initial testing, leading to possible misdiagnosis and undetected transmission.

"By helping us identify exactly when, and possibly where such zoonotic jumps may have occurred, this information eventually will help in deciding on custom preventive strategies," Dr Rajeev said.

Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that all RNA viruses like the Ebola virus keep mutating continuously and are usually of academic interest.

"It can be used, like a fingerprint, to trace outbreaks whether they are of similar or different origins," he added.

As of 6 June, a total of 515 confirmed cases, with 91 deaths among these confirmed cases, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died, according to the World Health Organization's latest update.

“RT-PCR Unlikely To Miss Infection”: Experts on Ebola Test Accuracy

<h2>CDC Warns Outbreak Could Rival 2014 Epidemic</h2>

The Ebola outbreak spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could become more devastating than the largest Ebola epidemic in history unless containment efforts improve, according to modelling released by the US CDC.

The models, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showed that the current outbreak could rival the scale of the 2014 West Africa outbreak, which resulted in more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths.

"That scale is possible," said Jason Asher, director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, during a press briefing.

The worst outcomes could be avoided if "a larger proportion of patients were identified, isolated, and treated," the agency said in its reports.

However, "the public health response to control this outbreak will likely need to be of similar magnitude to the response for the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak."

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/who-says-ebola-fight-is-catching-up-expert-explains-science-behind-patient-recoveries-article-154468606" data-type="tilCustomLink">WHO Says Ebola Fight Is Catching Up; Expert Explains Science Behind Patient Recoveries</a>

There are currently no approved treatments specifically for Bundibugyo ebolavirus, despite the existence of some antiviral therapies for other Ebola species. The rare strain is known to kill up to 40 percent of infected patients.

Scientists at the US' Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have used AI-driven drug discovery platforms to rapidly identify and synthesize 23 antiviral candidates targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain currently affecting Congo.

The newly identified compounds are expected to undergo testing against the Bundibugyo virus in the coming weeks.

Ebola is a severe and deadly disease caused by a virus mostly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.

Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death.

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A team of UK scientists has identified 23 unique mutations in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, led by the Bundibugyo virus.The findings, led by scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, are based on an analysis of 10 available Bundibugyo virus sequences from the Congo and Uganda associated with the current 2026 outbreak, according to Virological.org — an online discussion forum for pathogenic virus sequence data. The forum was launched in November 2014.The sampled viruses appear to share a most recent common ancestor dating to early-to-mid March 2026, the researchers said."The sampled viruses are already genetically diverse. We identified 23 unique mutations across the 10 sequences," said Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg from Imperial College London and Mahan Ghafari from the University of Oxford."This level of diversity suggests that the sampled viruses do not represent the very beginning of transmission, but instead reflect an outbreak that had already been circulating, at least partly undetected, for several weeks before sequences became available," they added.However, the authors noted that "this is an informal analysis and is not intended as a formal preprint or manuscript in its current form" and urged that the estimates "should be interpreted cautiously."Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the National IMA COVID Task Force and Past President of the Indian Medical Association, Cochin, told HealthandMe that the scientists used a technique known as a molecular clock to analyze genetic mutations in Bundibugyo Ebola virus samples from infected people and compared them with the same virus found in wild animals. "Their analysis suggests the virus likely began circulating in humans around March 2026, which is several weeks before the first cases were detected. This delay is not surprising because early Ebola symptoms can resemble common illnesses such as malaria, dengue, and other viral fevers," the expert said. In addition, the Bundibugyo strain can be difficult to identify with initial testing, leading to possible misdiagnosis and undetected transmission."By helping us identify exactly when, and possibly where such zoonotic jumps may have occurred, this information eventually will help in deciding on custom preventive strategies," Dr Rajeev said.Epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, told HealthandMe that all RNA viruses like the Ebola virus keep mutating continuously and are usually of academic interest. "It can be used, like a fingerprint, to trace outbreaks whether they are of similar or different origins," he added.Ebola Cases Continue to RiseAs of 6 June, a total of 515 confirmed cases, with 91 deaths among these confirmed cases, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died, according to the World Health Organization's latest update.    CDC Warns Outbreak Could Rival 2014 EpidemicThe Ebola outbreak spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could become more devastating than the largest Ebola epidemic in history unless containment efforts improve, according to modelling released by the US CDC.The models, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showed that the current outbreak could rival the scale of the 2014 West Africa outbreak, which resulted in more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths."That scale is possible," said Jason Asher, director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, during a press briefing.The worst outcomes could be avoided if "a larger proportion of patients were identified, isolated, and treated," the agency said in its reports.However, "the public health response to control this outbreak will likely need to be of similar magnitude to the response for the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak."AI-Driven Drug DiscoveryAlso read: WHO Says Ebola Fight Is Catching Up; Expert Explains Science Behind Patient Recoveries There are currently no approved treatments specifically for Bundibugyo ebolavirus, despite the existence of some antiviral therapies for other Ebola species. The rare strain is known to kill up to 40 percent of infected patients.Scientists at the US' Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have used AI-driven drug discovery platforms to rapidly identify and synthesize 23 antiviral candidates targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain currently affecting Congo.The newly identified compounds are expected to undergo testing against the Bundibugyo virus in the coming weeks.What Is Ebola?Ebola is a severe and deadly disease caused by a virus mostly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death.

ebola bundibugyo outbreak: uk scientists identify 23 unique mutations

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