The Ebola virus, which killed more than 11,000 people worldwide, mutated to become more infectious. The mutations improved the virus’ ability to infect people during the 2013-2016 epidemics in West Africa.
The researchers found mutations that increase Ebola’s capacity to infect humans and other primates, concluding that it is possible that these mutations increased the spread of the virus during the epidemic.
The latest epidemic left more than 28,000 people infected and 11,300 deaths.
Now the experts hope that the information helps them prepare better for a forthcoming outbreak.