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"
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.
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
