Short Wave The Congolese Doctor Who Discovered Ebola
Jul 9, 2020
Jean-Jacques Muyembe, a Congolese doctor, was the first to collect an Ebola sample in 1976 and has been a key figure in recent outbreaks. He shares the challenges he faced during the initial outbreak while working with international scientists to identify the virus. The discussion also highlights the historical struggles of African scientists in research and the need for recognition. Muyembe emphasizes new power dynamics in global health, advocating for local innovation, exemplified by the development of treatments from survivor blood. His remarkable contributions are finally getting the acknowledgment they deserve.
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Empty Hospital
- In 1976, Dr. Muyembe investigated a mysterious outbreak in Yambuku, later identified as Ebola.
- He found the hospital empty, as locals believed it was the source of the infection.
Risky Examination
- When Dr. Muyembe arrived, patients returned, hoping for medicine.
- He examined them without gloves, a common practice at the time, exposing himself to the virus.
Identifying Ebola
- Dr. Muyembe sent blood samples to Peter Piot in Belgium for testing.
- Piot and others identified the new virus and named it Ebola, after a river near Yambuku.
