The Multiple Origins of Ebola Disease Outbreaks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The origins of Ebola disease outbreaks remain enigmatic. Historically outbreaks have been attributed to spillover events from wildlife. However, recent data suggest that some outbreaks may originate from human-to-human transmission of prior outbreak strains instead of spillover. Clarifying the origins of Ebola disease outbreaks could improve detection and mitigation of future outbreaks.

Methods

We reviewed the origins of all Ebola disease outbreaks from 1976 to 2022 to analyze the earliest cases and characteristics of each outbreak. The epidemiology and phylogenetic relationships of outbreak strains were used to further identify the likely source of each outbreak.

Results

From 1976 to 2022 there were 35 Ebola disease outbreaks with 48 primary/index cases. W

SUBMITTER: Judson SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10651193 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature