Ebola Virus Is Not COVID or Flu, Explains Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć

Virologist Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć emphasizes that the Ebola virus is fundamentally different from COVID-19 and influenza, particularly in its transmission methods and significantly higher fatality rate. He clarifies that while media reports may suggest proximity, Ebola does not warrant comparison with more common respiratory illnesses.

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In no way can it be put on par with COVID-19 or influenza. It is a completely different disease, characterized by a different mode of transmission and diametrically higher mortality.

Currently, outbreaks are occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, leading to hundreds of cases and over 100 fatalities. However, Prof. Pyrć notes that Ebola's transmissibility is relatively low, and outbreaks are generally confined to Africa. Isolated cases may be imported to other countries, but containment measures are typically effective.

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The good news for us is that this virus is characterized by relatively low transmissibility, and its spread is severely limited.

Specialized clinics in Prague and Berlin have treated patients with Ebola, demonstrating robust safety measures. Prof. Pyrć explains that these facilities operate under the highest level of threat protocols, ensuring near-zero chance of the virus escaping. Medical personnel use hermetic suits with independent air supplies, and all areas maintain negative pressure with multi-stage air filtration. Waste is sterilized before leaving the facility, and clinical wards follow similarly stringent procedures to protect staff and the public.

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If the premises are properly prepared and meet isolation requirements – and we are talking about the highest level of threat – then the chance of the virus getting out is close to zero.

Ebola can cause hemorrhagic fever, a debilitating and often fatal illness. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo variant. Prof. Pyrć reassures that infected individuals are identified efficiently, unlike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strict isolation and containment protocols at specialized centers are designed to prevent any external spread, making the risk to the general population extremely low.

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Each person entering them puts on a hermetic suit with an external, independent air source.