- Joined
- Mar 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,895
- Points
- 0
A virus that killed two teenagers in Congo in 2009 is a completely new type, related to rabies but
causing the bleeding and rapid death that makes Ebola infection so terrifying, scientists reported
on Thursday. They’re searching for the source of the virus, which may be transmitted by insects
or bats.
The new virus is being named Bas-Congo virus, for the area where it was found. Researchers are
finding more and more of these new viruses, in part because new tests make it possible, but also
in the hope of better understanding them so they can prevent pandemics of deadly disease.
The virus infected a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl in the same village in Congo in 2009.
They didn’t stand a chance, says Joseph Fair of Metabiota, a company that investigates pathogens.
“They expired within three days,” Fair said in a telephone interview. “It was a very rapid killer.”
causing the bleeding and rapid death that makes Ebola infection so terrifying, scientists reported
on Thursday. They’re searching for the source of the virus, which may be transmitted by insects
or bats.
The new virus is being named Bas-Congo virus, for the area where it was found. Researchers are
finding more and more of these new viruses, in part because new tests make it possible, but also
in the hope of better understanding them so they can prevent pandemics of deadly disease.
The virus infected a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl in the same village in Congo in 2009.
They didn’t stand a chance, says Joseph Fair of Metabiota, a company that investigates pathogens.
“They expired within three days,” Fair said in a telephone interview. “It was a very rapid killer.”