What is Bundibugyo Ebola? The strain behind Kenya’s first case

Nairobi, Kenya — The Ebola strain detected in Kenya is a distinct species called Bundibugyo virus, not the same one responsible for the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. The Bundibugyo virus, initially identified in Uganda in 2007, belongs to a group of four Orthoebolavirus species known to cause human disease: Ebola virus, Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, and Taï Forest virus.

Unlike the respiratory viruses like COVID-19, Bundibugyo virus spreads through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids or contaminated materials. It primarily spreads in healthcare settings and during unsafe burials. Symptoms of Bundibugyo virus disease, such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, and bleeding, can be mistaken for less severe illnesses, making early identification crucial.

The incubation period ranges from two to twenty-one days, during which an infected individual is not contagious. Treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease focuses on supportive care, such as rehydration and managing symptoms, as there is no specific vaccine or approved treatment available. The current outbreak in Kenya underscores the need for rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing, and infection prevention to control the spread of this virus.