Ebola virus mutation may be more contagious
New Ebola mutation may infect patients without making them ill, making transmission more likely
The Ebola virus has mutated in West Africa say scientists who fear it could mean the disease is becoming more contagious.
Researchers in France who first identified the current outbreak have been tracking the virus in Guinea, analysing hundreds of blood samples from infected patients.
"We know the virus is changing quite a lot," said human geneticist Dr Anavaj Sakuntabhai. "That's important for diagnosing (new cases) and for treatment. We need to know how this virus (is changing) to keep up with our enemy"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Viruses mutate all the time so this is not unusual, says the BBC's global health correspondent Tulip Mazumdar. And Ebola falls into the same category of viruses as HIV and influenza, which have high mutation rates.
Researchers say they are concerned that some of those with the disease may not be displaying symptoms, which could make the disease more contagious.
"These people may be the people who can spread the virus better, but we still don't know that yet. A virus can change itself to less deadly, but more contagious and that's something we are afraid of," said Sakuntabhai.
Another concern is that the virus could mutate in a way which means airborne transmission could occur. However, scientists are keen to emphasise that there has been no evidence of this yet.
"For the moment the way of transmission is still the same. You just have to avoid contact (with a sick person)," said virologist Noel Tordo. "But as a scientist you can't predict it won't change. Maybe it will."
The study in Guinea is also expected to help scientists uncover why some people survive the disease and others do not. Ebola survival rates vary widely, ranging between 30 and 90 per cent, with the current outbreak killing around 40 per cent of those infected.
Ebola has so far claimed at least 8,641 lives and almost 22,000 people have been infected, although that number is expected to be much higher in reality.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Nigeria's worsening rate of maternal mortality
Under the radar Economic crisis is making hospitals unaffordable, with women increasingly not receiving the care they need
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Dengue hits the Americas hard and early
Speed Read Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic as dengue cases surge
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How happy is Finland really?
Today's Big Question Nordic nation tops global happiness survey for seventh year in a row with 'focus on contentment over joy'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How Tehran became the world's nose job capital
Under the radar Iranian doctors raise alarm over low costs, weak regulation and online influence of 'Western beauty standards'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Africa's renewed battle against female genital mutilation
Under the radar Campaigners call for ban in Sierra Leone after deaths of three girls as coast-to-coast convoy prepares to depart
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Argentina: the therapy capital of the world
Under the radar Buenos Aires natives go hungry to pay for psychoanalysis, amid growing instability, anxiety – and societal acceptance
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Does declining birth rate spell doom for Britain?
Today's Big Question Ageing population puts pressure on welfare state, economy and fabric of society, while fertility is rising on populist agendas
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How a new blood test could revolutionise sepsis diagnosis
The Explainer Early results from ongoing trial suggest faster identification of deadly condition is possible
By The Week Staff Published