Phone data reveals early weeks of DRC Ebola outbreak
Researchers used mobile phone records to map the initial spread of the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before official detection.
Surveillance gaps allowed rapid spread
The Bundibugyo strain circulated for weeks before detection in May due to surveillance failures and funding cuts. Confirmed infections now exceed 10,000 with 5,198 deaths recorded since the outbreak declaration on 15 May. On 17 May, the World Health Organization announced a public health emergency of international concern due to infections affecting health-care workers. Suspected cases were reported in locations including Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Bunia and Nyankunde in Ituri province as well as Butembo and Goma.
Travel patterns drove infection risk
Using anonymized mobile phone records, researchers tracked movement across regions to forecast which health districts would see infection reports by 1 June. Identifying future infection hotspots was aided by travelers departing from Mongbwalu, Bunia and Rwampara during the period between 24 April and 24 May. The first confirmed case showed symptoms as early as 25 April despite the official identification date being later. Risk rose again in places 150 to 200 kilometres away because people travelled to larger towns along established routes.
No licensed vaccines exist yet
No licensed vaccines or authorized treatments exist specifically for Bundibugyo, complicating efforts to control the disease. Study co-author Pierre Akilimali works at the National Institute of Public Health in Kinshasa to analyze these movements. Independent consultant Tambe Akem based in Yaoundé, Cameroon says findings reinforce initial knowledge about the outbreak onset.
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