Dermot's diary #5

The Ebola containment burden falls entirely on the diagnostic sector 

The sector is understandably focused on the resurfaced Ebola outbreak. Where do we stand?

Importantly, the latest outbreak is not the Zaire strain of previous outbreaks, it's the rarer Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense). The WHO has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, meaning countries now offer travel advisories, not just to the DRC and Uganda but to the continent more broadly. 

Our most critical industry challenge is the gap in standard testing capabilities. Because the Bundibugyo virus is rare – this is only the third major documented outbreak since its discovery in 2007 – global preparedness and therapeutic research have overwhelmingly focused on the Zaire and Sudan strains. We're playing catchup, essentially. 

The focus now is for labs to urgently evaluate their current filovirus testing protocols and transition where necessary from narrow-target assays to broad-spectrum multiplex RT-PCR panels such as The Altona Diagnostics RealStar®️ Filovirus Screen RT-PCR Kit 1.0, supplied by Celtic. It is designed to detect the major known ebolaviruses (now classified under the genus Orthoebolavirus), together with Marburg viruses. Having robust, advance stockpiles of viral RNA extraction kits, specialised reagents, and genomic sequencing consumables is vital. As is turn-around time of tests; supportive care for Ebola is far better early on.

Based on other outbreak dynamics, what is the likeliest progression scenario?

Concerning, certainly. Unlike "single-source" rural outbreaks, authorities are modelling a prolonged, multi-cluster progression with significant urban amplification. Because of the time lapse in discovery, Bundibugyo has already reached urban areas. In addition, the Ervebo vaccine is not effective for this strain.

So we're looking at containment as a primary weapon.

Yes, absolutely. In fact the entire containment burden falls onto the diagnostic sector. Progression models dictate that testing demand will surge continuously – not just at the epicentre in Ituri Province, but across regional points of entry and neighbouring high-risk countries. Labs need to prepare for sustained, high-volume demand for broad-spectrum Orthoebolavirus assays.