New Delhi, Oct 3 (NationPress) Researchers in the United States have identified the Sudan Ebola virus strain in both semen and breast milk of survivors, approximately eight months following their infection. This discovery raises significant concerns regarding the risks of sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission.

Approximately 60 percent of the individuals who survived the 2022-23 outbreak in Uganda reported persistent and severe health complications, even two years after their infection, which hindered their daily lives, according to a study conducted by researchers at Washington State University.

Lead researcher Kariuki Njenga, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, stated, "This is the first time anyone has been able to closely track Sudan Ebola survivors over an extended period, and the findings indicate that the virus continues to affect individuals long after an outbreak concludes."

"Equally alarming is our detection of the virus in semen and breast milk, indicating that there is a risk that survivors could transmit Ebola months after their recovery," Njenga added.

Ebola is a severe and often deadly haemorrhagic fever caused by four known strains: Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, and Taï Forest.

The Zaire and Sudan strains are considered the most lethal, with case fatality rates ranging from 75-90 percent for Zaire and 55-65 percent for Sudan.

The study monitored 87 survivors from the Ugandan outbreak and compared them with a control group of 176 community members who had not contracted the virus. Survivors reported symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system (45 percent), central nervous system (36 percent), and ocular issues (20 percent) at significantly higher rates than those in the control group.

Half of the survivors experienced multiple persistent symptoms, including memory loss, joint and back pain, and depression, which impaired their ability to carry out basic tasks. These symptoms remained stable over the two-year follow-up period.

"These findings suggest a phenomenon akin to 'long Ebola,' similar to what has been observed with long Covid," Njenga commented. "Symptoms did not significantly improve over two years, underscoring the necessity for long-term care and support for survivors."

Researchers observed the presence of Sudan Ebola virus RNA in semen for up to 210 days and in breast milk for up to 199 days following infection. In two male participants, the virus reemerged in semen samples eight months post consecutive negative results, indicating potential latency and reactivation.

This study is timely, coinciding with the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of Wednesday, a total of 64 cases have been reported, resulting in 42 deaths, with 12 patients having recovered and been discharged.

The Congolese government declared the outbreak on September 4, marking the country’s 16th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976, according to the Xinhua news agency.