Scientists at Makerere University of Uganda said the Ebola Bundibugyo virus currently spreading in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has undergone genetic changes, influencing the effectiveness of existing diagnostic tests.
The findings come as the Bundibugyo strain continues to infect people and claim lives in the DRC. Uganda recorded a total of two confirmed Ebola deaths during the recent outbreak that began in May 2026.
The strain was first identified in Uganda’s Bundibugyo District in 2007, when an outbreak resulted in 149 confirmed cases and 42 deaths.
Dr Henry Kyobe, a Senior Research Scientist and Incident Commander at Uganda’s Ministry of Health said based on a comprehensive genomic analysis, the Ebola Bundibugyo is evolving in ways not previously observed.
Unlike the Ebola Zaire and Sudan strains, which have remained relatively genetically stable since their discovery more than 50 years ago,
The findings revealed that the Bundibugyo strain has undergone significant changes with researchers saying the mutations could also indicate an increased ability to infect animals, raising new questions about its transmission and evolution.
The information emerged at a time when researchers are intensifying efforts to develop vaccines and treatments specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain. Although no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists for this strain.
Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University, said the new genetic findings suggest that some of the existing diagnostic tools, which were designed using the earlier genetic structure of the virus, may no longer be fully effective.
He explained that diagnostic tests are developed based on the genetic sequence of a pathogen. Any significant changes in that sequence may affect how accurately those tests detect the virus.
MG/as/APA