Over the past three decades Ebola-Zaire and Ebola-Sudan have been solely responsible for the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) with high fatality rates. In November 2007, HF cases were reported in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda. Laboratory investigation of the initial 29 suspect-case blood specimens by classic methods and a recently developed random primed pyrosequencing approach quickly identified this to be an Ebola HF outbreak associated with a newly discovered Ebola virus species distantly related to the Cote d'Ivoire Ebola virus found in western Africa. Due to the sequence divergence of this new virus relative to all previously recognized Ebola viruses, these findings have important implications for design of future diagnostic assays to monitor Ebola HF disease in humans and animals, and ongoing efforts to develop effective antiviral and vaccines.

On November 21st 2007, scientists had reported the existence of new Ebola virus. The virus, which was responsible for an Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) outbreak in western Uganda in 2007, has been found out by a team of researchers in Uganda and Atlanta University. The virus has been temporarily named as Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

With the discovery of the new species of Ebola Virus, the scientists are now facing a very tough challenge of solving a puzzle with more pieces adding to the jigsaw. Differing by a level of 30% in its genetic style, the new species of Ebola virus seems to be a distinct type of the filoviruses family.

The traditional ELISA assay test is said to have done the trick of finding out this new species- Bundibugyo. Though it posed great challenges initially pyro-sequencing approach has led to the discovery of about 70% of the virus genome in the genetic signature model.

Having known its distinctive nature, researchers are now into the study of suitable anti-vials, vaccines and diagnostics for this new species as well. The impact created by this new Ebola virus was the mortality rate of about 24.83%. It was recorded among 149 cases out of which there were 37 deaths. On February 20th 2008, the Uganda government announced the end of epidemic caused by the new species of Ebola virus- Bundibugyo. The last infected person was discharged on January 8th 2008.

Thus with the evolution of a new species, the workload for the scientists in microbiology has increased considerably. Experiments are being conducted full time and researchers and scientists have been working over time to find some possible way of putting an end to this disease. With the advancement in medical field sciences can the scientists draw out a solution for the epidemics caused from decades ago is a definite question running on people's mind. As there is no proper and complete treatment to the disease as yet, it is considered to be fatal and therefore it is best to try to prevent yourself from this if you think you are prone to get affected. Prevention is always better than cure. So, if you are anywhere in vicinity of possible sources of being infected, do take necessary care to be safe and healthy.