Dr. Mahmoud Halablab, RHU Provost and Professor of Microbiology, specializing in viral and bacterial infections, warned in a BBC interview today that controlling the Ebola virus will take time.
He explained that the virus originating from animals has its genetic map identified. The Zaire strain remains the deadliest, with up to a 90% mortality rate, while the current strain is less severe, yet still lacks an approved treatment or vaccine.
Dr. Halablab stressed that urgent international support is critical to accelerate vaccine development and to address the challenging medical, economic, and living conditions in Congo.
With an incubation period of 2 to 21 days, strict isolation for several weeks is essential, and containment efforts must be sustained for at least two months.
He cautioned that the real threat lies in cross-border spread, warning that transmission to countries such as Uganda would significantly escalate the crisis, underscoring the need to restrict travel to affected areas.
Watch the video of the interview here.