Ebola Zaire 1976 & 1995

[J.P. ROBERTS, MD]

The New York Times today reported a CDC report that the strain
of Ebola isolated in the current outbreak in Kikwit, Zaire is
very similar biochemically (immunologically?) to the strain
from the Zaire 1976 outbreak. A simultaneous outbreak in 1976
in neighboring Sudan was from a slightly different strain.
Detailed reports on both of these outbreaks were published in
The Bulletin of WHO in 1978; this is probably available iin
most university libraries.

Epidemiological investigation of the Sudan and Zaire 1976 outbreaks
revealed no evidence of airborne transmission. Transmission was
primarliy by the use of contaminated (pre-used) needles and
syringes or by close contact with bodily secretions. Casual
contact was not a risk for transmission. Ironically, what
halted the two outbreaks was closing the hospitals involved.
Standard infection control practices such as those routinely
used with HIV-infected patients in the US are sufficient to
prevent transmission. Unfortunately, such simple devices as
latex gloves, masks, and gowns are often unavailable in central
Africa.