The west African Ebola epidemic has sparked interest in global health security, but its impact on political commitment to public health is uncertain. The crisis has highlighted the importance of securing individuals' access to healthcare as part of global health security. Key challenges include counterfeit medicines, antimicrobial resi...
Global health experts offer a new framework for creating a robust global health system with national health systems at its foundation. The framework proposes key priorities, including funding, technical excellence, operational capacities, normative standards, regional offices, and engaging non-state parties.
Researchers solved the structure of Ebola virus nucleoprotein core domain to 1.8 Å resolution, revealing RNA binding groove similarities with other viral NPs. The findings provide valuable insights into EBOV genome assembly and transcription mechanism, as well as potential antiviral therapies targeting RNP formation.
New estimates suggest that the West African Ebola outbreak could have resulted in comparable number of malaria deaths as those due to Ebola itself. Implementing mass drug administration and ITN campaigns may largely mitigate the impact of Ebola on malaria.
Researchers are investigating whether plasma from Ebola survivors can help treat patients with the disease. The study aims to determine if protective antibodies in the plasma can be used safely to reduce deaths in current and future outbreaks.
Researchers from UTMB and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals have developed a post-exposure treatment effective against a specific strain of Ebola. The treatment uses siRNA to target and neutralize the virus, demonstrating potential benefits beyond improved survival rates.
A large-scale study of Ebola survivors found persistent health effects, including vision loss, hearing impairment, and cognitive decline. The study highlights the need for strategies to address the long-term health needs of survivors.
Researchers used TACC's Lonestar4 supercomputer to simulate and analyze data for various vaccine trial designs. They found that a phased-rollout randomized controlled trial would provide better information about the effectiveness of an Ebola vaccine.
A study published in PLOS Medicine proposes a multi-stage approach to testing Ebola treatments, which may be quicker than traditional randomized trials while still providing robust results. This alternative design could potentially triage treatments faster and recommend them without further RCTs under certain circumstances.
In a deadly, rapidly spreading infectious disease like Ebola, traditional randomized clinical trials may be inadequate. Alternative trial designs can provide useful information and are morally justifiable, says a new article in the American Journal of Bioethics.
Despite significant genetic mutations, Ebola's functional level has remained the same over the past four decades. This suggests that vaccines and treatments developed during current outbreaks may be effective against future outbreaks.
Researchers have found that the Ebola virus uses a protein called VP35 to remove its genetic material's protective coat, allowing it to replicate. Disrupting this process could potentially stop the spread of the disease.
Researchers at UTMB have developed an Ebola vaccine that is both safe and effective with a single dose, providing protection against the deadly virus. The new vaccine employs a 'Trojan horse' approach, using a weakened form of the virus to trigger an immune response.
A new tool uncovers some surprises in diagnosing Ebola by identifying six key symptoms: contact with an infected person, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, difficulty swallowing and absence of abdominal pain. This score can help clinicians risk-stratify patients during outbreaks.
A new diagnostic tool for Ebola virus disease was developed by Dr. Adam C. Levine at Rhode Island Hospital, which can help determine the likelihood of a patient having EVD based on six specific symptoms. The tool aims to facilitate timely and effective treatment for patients suspected to have the virus.
Recent study reveals that microbes like Sulfolobus islandicus can freeze in place when infected with a harmless virus, such as Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 9 (SSV9), to protect themselves. The dormant microbes recover if the virus is removed within 24-48 hours, otherwise they die.
The USGS has detected a novel, mixed-origin HPAI H5N1 avian flu virus in a green-winged teal in Washington State, differing from the well-known Asian H5N1 HPAI virus. The population-level impact of this virus on free-living wild bird species is currently unknown.
Two studies published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology detail the challenges of caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in hospitals. Key findings include staffing shortages, delays in patient care, and anxiety among staff and patients due to high-profile cases.
A Phase 1 trial of VSV-ZEBOV, an experimental Ebola vaccine, found it safe and elicited robust antibody responses in all 40 healthy adults who received it. The vaccine showed a favorable safety profile with mild or moderate fever experienced by 30% of participants.
A phase 1 clinical trial found the VSV-EBOV Ebola vaccine to be safe and elicit a robust immune response, with 93% of volunteers developing anti-Ebola antibodies within two weeks. The vaccine's higher dose showed a stronger antibody response.
A new Ebola vaccine has been shown to be highly effective and safe in monkeys, using an experimental platform that primes the immune system with the full complement of viral proteins. The vaccine was developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and may offer a promising alternative to existing vaccines.
Two experimental Ebola vaccines have proven safe in a phase 2 clinical trial involving over 600 participants in Liberia. The trial may now advance to Phase 3 testing if the results are confirmed, with the ultimate goal of determining whether these vaccines can protect against Ebola virus disease.
Researchers have developed a new Ebola vaccine based on the 2014 virus strain, showing it to be safe and provoking an immune response. In a phase 1 clinical trial, participants receiving high doses of the vaccine had a 100% positive immune response rate.
New research reveals that Ebola progresses quickly and is fatal for young children, with a lower chance of survival compared to adults. The study found that nearly 90% of children under one year old and around 80% of children aged one to four years who are infected have died.
A new study reveals a cytomegalovirus-based vaccine provides protection against Ebola virus for over 14 months after a single dose, offering hope for preventing ebolavirus infection in African apes and reducing future human outbreaks. The innovative approach could help stabilize endangered ape populations and protect humans from the de...
The Ebola epidemic has revealed critical weaknesses in the global public health system, including delayed responses and inadequate resources. Experts recommend adjusting WHO criteria for public health emergencies and increasing local authority involvement to develop culturally appropriate measures.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that closely-related fruit fly species show similar levels of virulence when infected with an RNA virus. The team's findings suggest a simple rule of thumb: if a pathogen causes high levels of mortality in one host, it may also be deadly in closely-related hosts.
A study predicts a rise in measles cases by 100,000 across West Africa due to Ebola-related health system disruptions, resulting in an additional 5,000 measles deaths. The research highlights the need for aggressive regional vaccination programs to counteract the steep downturn in immunization rates.
Researchers estimate that a large measles outbreak in West Africa could infect nearly twice as many people and kill thousands more due to significant decreases in vaccinations for childhood diseases. The Ebola crisis has led to a 45% increase in unvaccinated children, posing a substantial risk to public health.
Researchers found that severe disruptions to healthcare systems during the Ebola outbreak led to a significant reduction in measles vaccinations. This could result in an additional 2,000 to 16,000 deaths if a measles epidemic were to occur in affected countries.
A recent study by researchers at Georgia State University suggests that storing Ebola-infected sewage for a week or longer may not be sufficient to inactivate the virus, especially at lower ambient temperatures. The study used bacteriophage Φ6 as a stand-in for Ebola and found that holding times may need to be longer in such cases.
Researchers created a CRISPR system that recognizes and cuts the HIV virus, effectively inactivating it. The technology has shown success in both treating active infections and removing dormant copies of the virus from cells.
Researchers analyzed T and B cells from four Ebola survivors, finding surprisingly high levels of immune activation. The findings contradict previous research suggesting impaired immune responses and have implications for developing vaccines against Ebola.
A physician who received an experimental Ebola vaccine after a needle stick injury developed mild symptoms but strong Ebola-specific immune responses. The study found the patient's clinical syndrome and laboratory evidence consistent with vaccination response, with no evidence of Ebola virus infection detected.
The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit implements a rigorous process to handle Ebola patients, including two blood samples confirmed undetectable for the virus before discharge. Environmental decontamination involves 48-hour isolation followed by manual disinfection, UVGI, and multiple air exchanges.
The NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of ZMapp, an experimental Ebola treatment. The study will enroll adults and children with known Ebola infection and compare the treatment to standard care.
A collaborative team identified mechanisms involved in antibody response to the Marburg virus by studying a survivor's blood. The study reveals that the human immune system can effectively fight Marburg virus infections by producing antibodies.
A Scripps Research Institute team has discovered an antibody that can target both Marburg and Ebola viruses, paving the way for new treatment options. The antibody works by binding to a vulnerable site on the virus's surface, preventing it from entering human cells.
Researchers discovered a new cellular factor critical to Ebola virus infection and identified Tetrandrine as a potent small molecule inhibiting the virus's entry into human white blood cells. The compound showed efficacy in preventing Ebola virus disease in mice without obvious side effects.
Human antibodies have been isolated and characterized that can neutralize the Marburg virus, a close cousin to Ebola. The discovery could lead to the development of an effective treatment and vaccine against these often lethal viruses. Researchers hope to complete clinical safety trials by the end of the year.
A new test from MIT researchers uses a simple paper strip to rapidly diagnose Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as yellow fever and dengue fever. The device takes about 10 minutes to produce results, allowing for quicker triage and isolation of patients.
The JIKI clinical trial found encouraging signs of efficacy for favipiravir in individuals with high or moderate viral replication and less severe visceral lesions. In contrast, patients with very high viral loads and serious visceral involvement showed no efficacy from the treatment. These findings have implications for Ebola virus di...
A potent dengue-neutralizing antibody, 5J7, has been identified with a tiny amount needed to stop the infection of dengue serotype 3 virus (DENV-3). This breakthrough finding offers hope for developing effective dengue treatments.
The article highlights the weaknesses of the 2007 International Health Regulations (IHR) Treaty in responding to public health threats. Despite SARS strengthening the IHR, only 20% of countries met their obligations, leading to criticism of the treaty's effectiveness.
The Johns Hopkins Medicine has developed four web-based training modules on Ebola preparedness for emergency department personnel. These modules provide tools and resources to identify, triage, and manage patients at risk of Ebola, as well as planning processes and communication techniques.
A recent NIH study found that Ebola virus can remain infectious in a body for at least seven days after death, with viral RNA detectable for up to 10 weeks. The research highlights the importance of safe handling practices and suggests oral swabbing as a reliable alternative for obtaining diagnostic samples.
Researchers found evidence of prior exposure to Ebola virus among patients with Lassa fever in Sierra Leone between 2011-2014. The discovery suggests that the deadly disease may have been circulating in the area for years before the 2014 outbreak, sparking hope for prevention and control strategies.
A recent article highlights the importance of local health departments' roles in responding to global health security threats posed by infectious diseases. Key findings include the need for dedicated staff to interpret federal guidance, form partnerships with healthcare coalitions, and communicate accurate risk information. The Ebola e...
Scientists developed an antiviral compound targeting VP24, a key protein in the Ebola virus, which protected 75% of infected monkeys. The compound, AVI-7537, was found to be safe and well-tolerated, offering hope for developing effective therapies against the deadly disease.
Researchers found that targeting a single protein, VP24, was sufficient to protect monkeys from Ebola virus infection. The medication, AVI-7537, also reduced viral load and liver/kidney damage in infected animals.
Research by Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics has made a significant breakthrough in tackling the human parainfluenza virus, which causes respiratory infections such as croup and pneumonia. The team has demonstrated how the virus engages specific sugars to spread and cause infection.
Researchers from Arizona State University and Georgia State University model the impact of timely diagnostic testing on Ebola's spread across populations. Early detection provides the opportunity to safely isolate and treat individuals before they become contagious, significantly reducing the number of infected individuals.
A team of researchers is exploring the blood of Ebola virus disease survivors to identify antibodies and immune cells that could help doctors fight future infections. The study aims to develop fully human antibodies targeting the Ebola viruses to guide the development of improved therapeutics and vaccines.
A report by The BMJ found that only around two-thirds of Ebola donations ($1.9 billion) reached affected countries, with delays in disbursements potentially contributing to the spread of the virus. Expert Karen Grépin argues that existing mechanisms need improvement to enable rapid deployment of funds for future public health threats.
The Liberia-NIH partnership is conducting a Phase 2/3 study to test the safety and efficacy of two experimental vaccines against Ebola virus infection. The trial will enroll approximately 27,000 healthy adults and those at high risk of infection, and will provide crucial information on potential countermeasures for future outbreaks.
The GSK/NIH Ebola vaccine candidate has shown a well-tolerated safety profile and generated an immune response in healthy volunteers. Larger trials are necessary to assess whether the immune responses offer protection against Ebola infection and disease.
Case Western Reserve University researchers aim to reduce false negative results in Ebola diagnosis by developing a positive control using plant virus nanoparticles. The goal is to create a reliable test for early detection and monitoring of the virus.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine have discovered a toxic fragment of an Ebola virus protein that can change membrane permeability. The Delta peptide fragment has been shown to block the virus from attaching to already-infected cells, offering potential new insights for treatment and prevention.
Researchers found a correlation between human population density and vegetation cover in Africa, increasing the risk of animal-to-human Ebola transmission. In contrast, areas with low population density saw a decrease in risk, suggesting that landscape configuration plays a role in transmission.
Researchers investigated Ebola's deadly nature, discovering that genetic changes enable the virus to become more severe with each transmission. The study sheds light on the evolutionary goal of Ebola virus to become more lethal, informing future treatment strategies.