Ebola Virus making Headlines again

linzisaywut wrote: This honestly scares me, it could be the closest to a zombie apocalypse we all dread. =_=

I wouldn't say all of us dread it.

My biggest concern is the fact that medical personnel are contracting the virus.

Yes, mistakes are possible......but these are specialists, known for their safety protocols,

This outbreak has lasted far longer than anyone initially expected...the longer it remains an active outbreak the more opportunity the virus has to mutate.

Some facts:

The incubation period is anywhere from 2-21 days (time from infection to onset of symptoms) you are contagious during this time, and for up to 3 weeks after symptoms appear. (Some current studies are even indicating the potential for even longer incubation periods)

There are already several mutations of the Ebola virus, including the Reston version (named for it's discovery in Reston, VA) This version is NOT Pathogenic to humans, but it proves the virus can and will mutate.

Imagine how many people could be potential carriers, unaware that their unhygienic habits are "spreading" a plague.

It appears the death rate for this outbreak (at least if reported sources are accurate) is hovering around 60-70%, not the usual 90%. If these numbers are accurate, not just skewed due to better medical treatment, then it is an indication the virus has already mutated.

When this outbreak first started I was reminded of a scientific study I read a few years ago. At the time I questioned the ethics of it, because an attempt to see if something "was possible" could also result in a forced mutation of a Virus with no known cure.

In this study piglets were infected with Zaire-Ebola (Highly pathogenic to humans, but only transmited by contact) to see if the disease could be spread without physical contact (airborn/water droplets) to monkeys caged in the same room. (Swine are known for carrying/mutating "safe" diseases into ones that are highly pathogenic to humans) It worked. They even noted that the first monkeys to fall ill were the ones near the air vent.

www.nature.com/srep/.../srep00811.html

I am someone who studies the way diseases/illness, and their treatment, affected/guided early civilizations. So I also try to stay current in "modern" plagues/outbreaks. The potential that the Ebola virus has, to decimate a species, is unprecedented. So watching this outbreak drag on is difficult for me, especially when so many think it's only an African problem. We no longer live in a world where outbreaks can be limited by geographical boundaries, the Spanish Flu epidemic taught us that.

The outbreak is largely restricted to African countries only.

And a fatality count of several hundred is relatively low. Even if it spreads to the West, a 90% death rate is unlikely to be observed in a modern clinical setting.

Vaccination against the Ebola virus has been successfully tested in monkeys

Over the last decade there has been significant progress made in the development of experimental vaccines , many of which have shown great promise in primates.

Some forms of experimental vaccination are probably safe and effective in humans

The rVSV vaccine has already been used in one human case of accidental Ebola exposure. The researcher exposed to the virus remained healthy and no severe side effects were observed.

Together with data available from monkey experiments, the safety of the vaccine seems to be good, although proper clinical trials are needed before the vaccinations are released to the public

The Ebola virus is probably weaker than previously thought

In fact, it appears not to block apoptotic signaling pathways .

The latest strain of Ebola is not stronger than previous ones

Biologic characterization of various Zaire ebolaviruses have so far failed to provide convincing evidence of obvious differences in pathogenicity.

As reported recently in the New England Journal of Medicine , the new West African variant is not more virulent than previous Zaire ebolaviruses; a case fatality rate of about 70%, if confirmed, might even indicate lower virulence.

Two American doctor had recently contracted the virus in W.Africa. The States are planning to bring them back home for treatment. Like for real? I appreciate their sacrifice and hard work but bringing them stateside is potentially suicidal to the rest of us millions.

Ronin wrote: Two American doctor had recently contracted the virus in W.Africa. The States are planning to bring them back home for treatment. Like for real? I appreciate their sacrifice and hard work but bringing them stateside is potentially suicidal to the rest of us millions.

Hopefully nothing bad will happen and if anybody does contract it..I hope it's controlled and they regain their health. Even if two American doctors are infected..and people are saying they are trained professionals that should've known how to control it..they are human after all..them getting the virus is understandable in my point of view..they are treating many who are infected and if not..then in contact with people who are..it was only sooner or later they would have contracted it.

Farhan Ismahin wrote:

There is no cause for concern

The outbreak is largely restricted to African countries only.

And a fatality count of several hundred is relatively low. Even if it spreads to the West, a 90% death rate is unlikely to be observed in a modern clinical setting.

Vaccination against the Ebola virus has been successfully tested in monkeys

Over the last decade there has been significant progress made in the development of experimental vaccines , many of which have shown great promise in primates.

Some forms of experimental vaccination are probably safe and effective in humans

The rVSV vaccine has already been used in one human case of accidental Ebola exposure. The researcher exposed to the virus remained healthy and no severe side effects were observed.

Together with data available from monkey experiments, the safety of the vaccine seems to be good, although proper clinical trials are needed before the vaccinations are released to the public

The Ebola virus is probably weaker than previously thought

In fact, it appears not to block apoptotic signaling pathways .

The latest strain of Ebola is not any stronger than previous ones

Biologic characterization of various Zaire ebolaviruses have so far failed to provide convincing evidence of obvious differences in pathogenicity.

As reported recently in the New England Journal of Medicine , the new West African variant is not more virulent than previous Zaire ebolaviruses; a case fatality rate of about 70%, if confirmed, might even indicate lower virulence.

I agree with you, better western medical care would probably lower the death rate....but while the disease is limited to Africa for the moment, in a era of globilization and quick flights it could easily spread anywhere.

I also think this current "version" of Ebola is weaker or equivalent to previous outbreaks. But it is important to remember that a virus will often "trade" potency for another beneficial mutation......like longer life sans host or easier transmission.

Finally, I am aware of the "potential" vaccine. However, as exciting as this development is, if there was a massive, global outbreak tomorrow, the logistics of production in any mass quantities is highly doubtful, if you could even look past the lack of clinical trials. One success story does not equate a cure, however inspiring, and it only covers possible "prevention" not a cure or treatment for individuals already infected.

Im not trying to incite fear. I honestly think/hope that this outbreak will be contained soon. But I also think far too many people believe it can't possibly become as issue that could affect their life....My knowledge of History tells a totally different story.

sweetbunnie wrote:

Ronin wrote: Two American doctor had recently contracted the virus in W.Africa. The States are planning to bring them back home for treatment. Like for real? I appreciate their sacrifice and hard work but bringing them stateside is potentially suicidal to the rest of us millions.

Hopefully nothing bad will happen and if anybody does contract it..I hope it's controlled and they regain their health. Even if two American doctors are infected..and people are saying they are trained professionals that should've known how to control it..they are human after all..them getting the virus is understandable in my point of view..they are treating many who are infected and if not..then in contact with people who are..it was only sooner or later they would have contracted it.

One of the doctor is such a hero. When they were infected, he gave the only experimental vaccine to the other doctor, knowing very well that his condition will gravely worsen without the vaccine

Xanadu wrote:

Farhan Ismahin wrote:

There is no cause for concern

The outbreak is largely restricted to African countries only.

And a fatality count of several hundred is relatively low. Even if it spreads to the West, a 90% death rate is unlikely to be observed in a modern clinical setting.

Vaccination against the Ebola virus has been successfully tested in monkeys

Over the last decade there has been significant progress made in the development of experimental vaccines , many of which have shown great promise in primates.

Some forms of experimental vaccination are probably safe and effective in humans

The rVSV vaccine has already been used in one human case of accidental Ebola exposure. The researcher exposed to the virus remained healthy and no severe side effects were observed.

Together with data available from monkey experiments, the safety of the vaccine seems to be good, although proper clinical trials are needed before the vaccinations are released to the public

The Ebola virus is probably weaker than previously thought

In fact, it appears not to block apoptotic signaling pathways .

The latest strain of Ebola is not any stronger than previous ones

Biologic characterization of various Zaire ebolaviruses have so far failed to provide convincing evidence of obvious differences in pathogenicity.

As reported recently in the New England Journal of Medicine , the new West African variant is not more virulent than previous Zaire ebolaviruses; a case fatality rate of about 70%, if confirmed, might even indicate lower virulence.

I agree with you, better western medical care would probably lower the death rate....but while the disease is limited to Africa for the moment, in a era of globilization and quick flights it could easily spread anywhere.

I also think this current "version" of Ebola is weaker or equivalent to previous outbreaks. But it is important to remember that a virus will often "trade" potency for another beneficial mutation......like longer life sans host or easier transmission.

Finally, I am aware of the "potential" vaccine. However, as exciting as this development is, if there was a massive, global outbreak tomorrow, the logistics of production in any mass quantities is highly doubtful, if you could even look past the lack of clinical trials. One success story does not equate a cure, however inspiring, and it only covers possible "prevention" not a cure or treatment for individuals already infected.

Im not trying to incite fear. I honestly think/hope that this outbreak will be contained soon. But I also think far too many people believe it can't possibly become as issue that could affect their life....My knowledge of History tells a totally different story.

What you say is mostly true, but the mutation theory is quite a speculative one for now.

Also, it takes time for the virus to accumulate enough DNA changes to successfully mutate themselves, in addition to the time required for the natural selection of positive traits.

Having said that, I certainly do believe the Ebola virus may potenially cause something disastrous, even if the chances of that happening remains quite low.

I just don't see anything particularly lethal about this strain of virus, at least not from a biological point of view, but I would be happy to be proven wrong.

Why do you say that history suggests otherwise?

Ebola is the new crack.

People who lives in the UK don't need to worry about it as the threat of Ebola virus here is very very low