Investigating the zoonotic origin of the West African Ebola epidemic

Abstract

The severe Ebola virus disease epidemic occurring in West Africa stems from a single zoonotic transmission event to a 2-year-old boy in Meliandou, Guinea. We investigated the zoonotic origins of the epidemic using wildlife surveys, interviews, and molecular analyses of bat and environmental samples. We found no evidence for a concurrent outbreak in larger wildlife. Exposure to fruit bats is common in the region, but the index case may have been infected by playing in a hollow tree housing a colony of insectivorous free-tailed bats (Mops condylurus). Bats in this family have previously been discussed as potential sources for Ebola virus outbreaks, and experimental data have shown that this species can survive experimental infection. These analyses expand the range of possible Ebola virus sources to include insectivorous bats and reiterate the importance of broader sampling efforts for understanding Ebola virus ecology.

Ebola Virus Delta Peptide Is a Viroporin

“…The origin of Ebola virus in West Africa in not known, but there has been speculation that the outbreak was initiated by an epizoonotic transmission by a bat from a colony occupying a hollow tree near the child's village of Meliandou (1). The child died of Ebola virus disease (EVD), as did several members of his family and other village residents.…”

Ebola vaccines – Where are we?

“…Bats are thought to be the natural reservoir. 1 The first 2 Ebola viral disease (EVD) outbreaks occurred simultaneously in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan in 1976. 2 Since then, there have been multiple smaller, self-limiting outbreaks in East and Central Africa.…”

Viral haemorrhagic fevers in South Africa

“…[39,40] The recent West African outbreak has been traced to a 2-year-old child in Guinea who may have had contact with bats while at play. [35,41] Once the virus enters the human population, transmission is through direct contact with infected body fluids such as blood, faeces and vomitus. Owing to this mode of transmission, the virus has a propensity to spread in the hospital setting and between close contacts.…”