The latest webinar of our series showcased Professor César Muñor-Fontela, expert in emerging diseases, who talked about the complex ecology and transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD). The event provided an in-depth look at the epidemiology, transmission pathways, and evolving control strategies for Ebola and related filoviruses, which continue to pose serious threats to public health in Africa and beyond.

Filoviruses: Diversity and Hidden Reservoirs

Ebola is one of several known filoviruses, a family that also includes Sudan, Marburg, and other lesser-known species. These viruses are primarily found in Central and West Africa, where outbreaks have caused significant mortality and disruption. While fruit bats are most likely to be natural reservoirs, outbreaks often involve intermediate hosts like primates before reaching humans. The virus spreads through contact with infected wildlife and person-to-person transmission via body fluids. Cultural and social practices, particularly traditional funeral rites and caregiving without protective equipment, can accelerate transmission. Furthermore, Ebola can also persist in survivors, occasionally causing flare-ups months later.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Drivers

Factors like deforestation, mining, poverty, and climate change increase spillover risks by increasing human–wildlife contact. Once in human populations, urbanization and mobility amplify transmission. Prof. Muñoz-Fontela warned that “the line between a localized spillover and a regional epidemic is thinner than ever.”

Tracking and Containing Outbreaks

Recent advances in diagnostics and molecular surveillance enable now faster detection and easily tracing of outbreaks. Contact tracing and community-based surveillance remain the backbone of outbreak control. However, their success depends on local trust and engagement, a challenge in regions where misinformation and mistrust of authorities persist.

Vaccines and Future Tools

So far, two licensed Ebola vaccines, a VSV-based single-dose vaccine and a two-dose Ad26/MVA regimen, have proven effective in outbreak settings. Still, Prof. Muñoz-Fontela noted that logistical hurdles, cost, and ethical considerations complicate broader preventive vaccination strategies.

Prof. Muñoz-Fontela concluded by underscoring the human dimension of epidemic control. “Science can provide the tools, but trust and communication are what stop transmission,” he said. Strengthening local health systems, fostering collaboration, and respecting cultural contexts, he argued, are as crucial as any laboratory breakthrough.