Researchers help identify new Ebola variant and potential treatment

Researchers from Dalhousie University have identified a new variant of Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), a rare and contagious form of Ebola for which there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines. The discovery was made in collaboration with scientists and public health teams in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following the World Health Organization's declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May.

The new variant was identified through genomic sequencing performed by researchers on the ground, while the Dalhousie team analyzed the genetic data to map the changes in the virus over time. This information is crucial for understanding how the virus evolves, identifying drug targets, informing future vaccine development, and supporting public health efforts to control the disease.

In addition to identifying the new variant, researchers are also exploring potential treatments for BDBV. One promising option is repurposing an existing drug, remdesivir triphosphate, which was previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advanced computer modeling has shown that this drug may also be effective against the new Ebola variant, and its efficacy is now being evaluated through a clinical trial in Africa.

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