Ebola Revisited

BY ISHAN VAISH – Since April, 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been in a state of emergency as a result of a massive Ebola crisis. Almost 6 months later, new cases are still surfacing. This incident is not alone. Ebola outbreaks have been almost continuously ongoing since the discovery of the disease in 1976. Moreover, the Democratic Republic of Congo has not had an Ebola-free year since 2014. Ebola outbreaks no longer seem to make the news, and the fear the disease once elicited has now been replaced by indifference for a problem that is seemingly not going to be solved anytime soon. Its permanence begs the question: has any progress been made in effectively combating the disease?

Ebola has two treatments: REGN-EB3 and mAB-114. Both of them consist of antibody infusions that have proven to be largely successful. However, they both must be given to patients within hours of their exposure to the Ebola antigen. In countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there is limited healthcare infrastructure, patients are often diagnosed too late to be saved. To address this concern, scientists have designed new testing equipment that allows them to quickly detect the Ebola antigen via blood or oral fluid samples. While approved by the FDA, it may take several months if not years before the device can be manufactured at a price and rate that makes it accessible.  

Though preventing the disease onset upon infection is still a challenge to scientists, a vaccine has been successfully developed to prevent infection altogether. For almost two years, the World Health Organization has been distributing an experimental vaccine in parts of West Africa where the outbreak has been the most severe. Results have largely been promising, with scientists estimating the vaccine’s effectiveness to be greater than 95%. The vaccine was also recently approved by the European Medicines Agency and is set to be FDA-approved soon. If its authorizations go as planned, the Ebola vaccine could become a standardized vaccination in West Africa within a few years. 

While there are promising solutions on the horizon, people in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo need help now. The series of outbreaks has been a draining ordeal for locales and has lead to a significant rise in conspiracy theories and mistrust towards organizations like the WHO. This trend has made it harder for doctors and researchers to administer vaccines and treatments to people who need it. Conversely, as the months have gone by, the media has also lost interest in covering the crisis. Many people are entirely unaware that an Ebola outbreak is even happening. Though such circumstances make it seem difficult to provide any meaningful assistance, the fight against Ebola can largely be aided by donations and education.  With increased funding and a more educated and enthused public, scientists may be able to regain the local support needed to address this epidemic and relieve West Africa of this crisis for good. Moreover, they may be able to pressure governing bodies into expediting approval processes of Ebola treatments and vaccines to ensure future outbreaks can be prevented or dealt with swiftly.

Editor: Sherry Luo

Photography Source: Bianca Patel