Assessing Ebola virus circulation in the Tshuapa province (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A One Health investigation of wildlife and human interactions

The wildlife reservoir and spillover mechanisms of Ebola virus remain elusive despite extensive research efforts in endemic areas. This study employed a One Health approach to examine the virus' circulation in wildlife and the associated human exposure risks in the Tshuapa province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We screened 1049 samples from 919 animals, predominantly small mammals, collected in 2021, and 380 samples from inhabitants of Inkanamongo village, the site of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2014. These samples were screened for evidence of current (RNA) or past (IgG antibodies) Ebola virus infections. We also conducted interviews with 167 individuals in the surrounding districts to assess their interactions with wildlife. While no Ebola virus RNA was detected in the wildlife samples, anti-orthoebolavirus IgG antibodies were found in 13 bats and 38 rodents. Among the human participants, 120 individuals had IgG antibodies against at least 1 orthoebolavirus antigen, with 12 showing seropositivity for 2 antigens of the same orthoebolavirus, despite not having a prior Ebola disease diagnosis. Furthermore, the majority of respondents reported frequent visits to the forest to hunt a variety of wild animals, particularly ungulates and rodents, which could account for occasional viral spillovers. The absence of active Ebola virus circulation in wildlife may reflect seasonal patterns in reservoir ecology, as those observed in bats. Similarly, seasonal human activities, such as hunting and foraging, may result in periodic exposure risks. These findings highlight the importance of continuous, multidisciplinary surveillance to monitor changes in seasonal spillover risks.

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Journal
PLoS Pathogens
Published
2025-11-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013628
Primary Topic
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
Type
article
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article

Assessing Ebola virus circulation in the Tshuapa province (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A One Health investigation of wildlife and human interactions

Nicolas Laurent, Jana Těšíková, Jean‐Pierre Van Geertruyden, Herwig Leirs et al.
PLoS Pathogens
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
article

Assessing Ebola virus circulation in the Tshuapa province (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A One Health investigation of wildlife and human interactions

Nicolas Laurent, Jana Těšíková, Jean‐Pierre Van Geertruyden, Herwig Leirs, Gwen Lemey, Erik Verheyen, Pascal Baelo, Sophie Gryseels, Joachim Mariën, Léa Joffrin, Maha Salloum, Pierre Van Damme, Julie Bouillin, Ynke Larivière, Séverine Thys, Rianne van Vredendaal, Steve Ngoy, Maëliss Champagne, Claude Mande, Natalie Van Houtte, Antea Paviotti, Patrick Mitashi Mulopo, Casimir Nebesse, Ahidjo Ayouba, Solange Milolo, Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko, Léa Fourchault, Papy Ansobi, Ruben Ilonga, Douglas Adroabadrio, Martine Peeters, Freddy Bikioli, Henri Kimina, Jimmy Mpato, Guy‐Crispin Gembu
article en

Abstract

The wildlife reservoir and spillover mechanisms of Ebola virus remain elusive despite extensive research efforts in endemic areas. This study employed a One Health approach to examine the virus' circulation in wildlife and the associated human exposure risks in the Tshuapa province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We screened 1049 samples from 919 animals, predominantly small mammals, collected in 2021, and 380 samples from inhabitants of Inkanamongo village, the site of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2014. These samples were screened for evidence of current (RNA) or past (IgG antibodies) Ebola virus infections. We also conducted interviews with 167 individuals in the surrounding districts to assess their interactions with wildlife. While no Ebola virus RNA was detected in the wildlife samples, anti-orthoebolavirus IgG antibodies were found in 13 bats and 38 rodents. Among the human participants, 120 individuals had IgG antibodies against at least 1 orthoebolavirus antigen, with 12 showing seropositivity for 2 antigens of the same orthoebolavirus, despite not having a prior Ebola disease diagnosis. Furthermore, the majority of respondents reported frequent visits to the forest to hunt a variety of wild animals, particularly ungulates and rodents, which could account for occasional viral spillovers. The absence of active Ebola virus circulation in wildlife may reflect seasonal patterns in reservoir ecology, as those observed in bats. Similarly, seasonal human activities, such as hunting and foraging, may result in periodic exposure risks. These findings highlight the importance of continuous, multidisciplinary surveillance to monitor changes in seasonal spillover risks.

PLoS PathogensVol. 21(11)
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (FR), University of Antwerp (BE), Inserm (FR), Institute of Natural Sciences (BE), University of Kinshasa (CD), Southend Hospital (GB), Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes (FR), Central University of Haryana (IN), Institute for Sustainable Development (ET), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Université de Kisangani (CD), Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde (BE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 57%
Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
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