Resurgence of Ebola virus in 2021 in Guinea suggests a new paradigm for outbreaks

Alpha Kabinet Keita, Fara R. Koundouno, Martin Faye, Ariane Düx, Julia Hinzmann, Haby Diallo, Ahidjo Ayouba, Frederic Le Marcis, Barré Soropogui, Kékoura Ifono, Moussa M. Diagne, Mamadou S. Sow, Joseph A. Bore, Sebastien Calvignac-Spencer, Nicole Vidal, Jacob Camara, Mamadou B. Keita, Annick Renevey, Amadou Diallo, Abdoul K. SoumahSaa L. Millimono, Almudena Mari-Saez, Mamadou Diop, Ahmadou Doré, Fodé Y. Soumah, Kaka Kourouma, Nathalie J. Vielle, Cheikh Loucoubar, Ibrahima Camara, Karifa Kourouma, Giuditta Annibaldis, Assaïtou Bah, Anke Thielebein, Meike Pahlmann, Steven T. Pullan, Miles W. Carroll, Joshua Quick, Pierre Formenty, Anais Legand, Karla Pietro, Michael R. Wiley, Noel Tordo, Christophe Peyrefitte, John T. McCrone, Andrew Rambaut, Youssouf Sidibé, Mamadou D. Barry, Madeleine Kourouma, Cé D. Saouromou, Mamadou Condé, Moussa Baldé, Moriba Povogui, Sakoba Keita, Mandiou Diakite, Mamadou S. Bah, Amadou Sidibe, Dembo Diakite, Fodé B. Sako, Fodé A. Traore, Georges A. Ki-Zerbo, Philippe Lemey, Stephan Günther, Liana E. Kafetzopoulou, Amadou A. Sall, Eric Delaporte, Sophie Duraffour, Ousmane Faye, Fabian H. Leendertz, Martine Peeters, Abdoulaye Toure, N’ Faly Magassouba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Seven years after the declaration of the first epidemic of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, the country faced a new outbreak—between 14 February and 19 June 2021—near the epicentre of the previous epidemic1,2. Here we use next-generation sequencing to generate complete or near-complete genomes of Zaire ebolavirus from samples obtained from 12 different patients. These genomes form a well-supported phylogenetic cluster with genomes from the previous outbreak, which indicates that the new outbreak was not the result of a new spillover event from an animal reservoir. The 2021 lineage shows considerably lower divergence than would be expected during sustained human-to-human transmission, which suggests a persistent infection with reduced replication or a period of latency. The resurgence of Zaire ebolavirus from humans five years after the end of the previous outbreak of Ebola virus disease reinforces the need for long-term medical and social care for patients who survive the disease, to reduce the risk of re-emergence and to prevent further stigmatization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)539-543
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume597
Issue number7877
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 23 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Resurgence of Ebola virus in 2021 in Guinea suggests a new paradigm for outbreaks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this