Prime Highlights
- Researchers discovered a mutation, GP-V75A, in the Ebola virus that significantly increased its ability to spread during the 2018–2020 DRC outbreak.
- The mutation also reduced the effectiveness of some antiviral treatments, highlighting the need for real-time genomic monitoring during outbreaks.
Key Facts
- The study analysed 480 Ebola virus genomes and confirmed in lab experiments that the GP-V75A variant infects host cells and animals more efficiently than earlier strains.
- The outbreak resulted in over 3,000 infections and 2,000 deaths, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
Background
Chinese researchers found a key mutation in the Ebola virus that significantly increased its ability to spread during a major outbreak, offering new insights into epidemic monitoring and treatment strategies. The findings were published in the scientific journal Cell and shared by the research team on Monday.
The study was led by Professor Qian Jun of Sun Yat-sen University, in collaboration with researchers from Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and other academic teams. The researchers studied the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2018 to 2020. This was the second-largest outbreak ever recorded.
That outbreak resulted in more than 3,000 infections and over 2,000 deaths. While healthcare problems affected the outbreak, the researchers wanted to find out if changes in the virus itself also helped the outbreak last longer and grow bigger.
By analysing 480 complete Ebola virus genomes, the team discovered a variant carrying a mutation known as GP-V75A in the virus’s glycoprotein. This mutation showed up early in the outbreak and soon replaced the original virus strain. The mutation rose as infection numbers increased, suggesting it helped the virus spread more easily.
Laboratory experiments confirmed that the GP-V75A variant infects different host cells and animals much more easily than earlier strains.
The study also flagged a potential clinical risk. Researchers found that the mutation made some current antiviral antibodies and small-molecule drugs less effective, raising concerns that the virus could become resistant to these treatments.
Professor Qian said the findings show why it is important to track the virus’s genome in real time during outbreaks. He said that continuous monitoring can help detect dangerous mutations early, check if treatments still work and guide quick public health actions.
The study strengthens the case for global genomic surveillance to better prepare for future infectious disease threats.
