Studies reveal the Ebola virus experienced mutations, which increased its ability to spread among humans, according to Los Angeles Times.
Cell published the two articles.
Here are four takeaways:
1. Back in 2013, Ebola infected 28,000 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, killing 11,000. As it spread, Ebola mutated, enabling a harsher virus that infected humans more easily.
2. The researchers found cells carrying a mutated form of Ebola infected human cells at twice the rate than a non-mutated form of Ebola.
3. Researchers indicated the virus' composition may have played a part in the acceleration of the deadly virus.
4. The study also revealed those people in West Africa infected with the "most potent mutation" of the virus were more likely to die than those infected with a strain untainted by a mutation, according to Los Angeles Times.
