Articles tagged with Ebola Virus
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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...
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.
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 Hastings Center Report explores the controversy surrounding the Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Oxygenation Randomized Trial (SUPPORT), a study that gauged risks and benefits of blood oxygen levels in premature infants. The debate highlights concerns over informed consent and the ethics of comparative effectiveness research.
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.
Researchers tracked genetic mutations in Ebola virus during the West African outbreak, identifying changes that could interfere with experimental therapeutics. The study highlights the need for drug developers to assess mutation effects on efficacy.
A new study found that around one in five Lassa fever cases could be caused by human-to-human transmission, with a disproportionate number of cases traced back to 'super-spreaders'. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding different modes of transmission and their impact on public health strategies.
A new model developed by ecologists at the University of Georgia and Pennsylvania State University predicts that the Ebola epidemic in Liberia can be largely contained by June 2015 if hospitalization rates and safe burial practices are maintained. The model, which includes factors such as location of infection and treatment, hospital c...
Healthcare workers face difficulties in differentiating between obstetric emergencies and suspected Ebola cases, while limited evidence exists on asymptomatic pregnant women. The article highlights the need for continual assessment of minimising risk to healthcare workers while providing lifesaving care.
A new model developed by ecologists at the University of Georgia and Pennsylvania State University projects that the Ebola epidemic in Liberia can be largely contained by June if an 85% hospitalization rate is achieved. The model takes into account various factors such as infection location, treatment, hospital capacity, and safe buria...
Researchers at the University of Kansas are developing an iPhone and Android app called iChequIt that gauges Ebola risk based on social media posts and contact-tracing records. The app will provide users with a running score of their likelihood of contact with the deadly virus, but it's not meant to advise people how to live their lives.
A study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine suggests that contact between humans and virus-infected bats may have originated the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The researchers found no evidence of larger wildlife being the source of infection, expanding the range of possible Ebola virus sources to insectivorous free-tailed bats.
Medical ethicists offer guidance on life-sustaining therapies for Ebola patients in developed countries, balancing risks and benefits. Former Surgeon General David Satcher discusses the importance of credibility and influence in the role, emphasizing scientific evidence-based reports.
A Phase 1B clinical trial in Uganda found the experimental vaccines safe and induced immune responses in healthy volunteers. The results are encouraging, as similar immune responses were observed compared to a previous US trial.
Researchers conducted the first Ebola vaccine trial in Africa using an early-generation vaccine candidate, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity. The study found that the vaccines produced similar immune responses in African and US populations, providing proof of principle for a multivalent filovirus vaccine.
A phase 1 trial confirms two experimental Ebola DNA vaccines are safe and stimulate a similar immune response in Ugandan adults as reported in US adults earlier this year. The vaccines generated neutralizing antibodies and T-cells against the virus proteins, providing comparable safety and immune response.
The IMF's economic policies have been shown to reduce government spending on healthcare, leading to underfunded and understaffed health systems. The researchers argue that the IMF's campaigns for decentralised healthcare systems also hinder coordinated responses to outbreaks, such as Ebola.
A Ugandan doctor contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone and was flown to Germany for aggressive treatment involving the experimental drug FX06. The doctor developed severe multi-organ failure but made a marked improvement under intensive care and drug treatment, with no Ebola virus genetic material detected after 30 days.
Researchers identified 53 existing drugs that can hinder Ebola virus entry into human cells, including cancer drugs and antibiotics. This study may lead to rapid development of treatments against Ebola infection.
Researchers found evidence of significant social clustering in the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has implications for case reporting and public health. The analysis estimated that up to 70% of cases were not reported, significantly lower than previous estimates.
A new study recommends that men in recovery from Ebola wear condoms for at least 3 months to prevent the sexual transmission of the virus. The researchers found that the virus persisted in semen for an average of 66.6 days, highlighting the need for further research into male survivors of Ebola.
Simple screenings of organ donors can help minimize the risk of Ebola transmission through organ donation. Experts recommend excluding individuals who have recently traveled to or worked in countries where Ebola is active for a 21-day period before they can donate organs.
A study by University of Utah researchers found a unique mechanism used by the Ebola virus and other related viruses to replicate. The discovery, which was made possible through computer simulations, may lead to new targets for antiviral drugs within five to 10 years.
A new study by a Pitt researcher reveals that there is limited scientific data on how long the Ebola virus can survive on surfaces, in water, or in liquid droplets. This knowledge gap makes it challenging to develop effective disinfection practices to prevent the spread of the disease.
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that the most abundant protein in the Ebola virus, VP40, mediates replication and interacts with human cell lipids. This discovery may lead to novel therapeutics for combating Ebola.
Ebola survivors can donate blood, care for sick patients, and generate community-based responses. Employing trained survivors as caregivers could also provide a source of income.
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa lacks standardized treatment guidelines, with conflicting reports on mortality rates and treatments. Experts propose a range of measures, including the development of guidelines and international cooperation to ensure quality control and transparency.
A Rutgers researcher has received a $640,000 NIH grant to develop a rapid Ebola test that can be used in remote locations where the disease has spread. The test, modeled after an existing tuberculosis test, will diagnose patients quickly and accurately, reducing the need for isolation and treatment delays.
The National Science Foundation has awarded rapid response grants to support researchers in understanding the fundamental nature of Ebola and its impact on public safety. The grants will fund projects that explore new methods for virus detection, disinfection, and medical response, as well as research into risk assessment and behavior.
Ebola virus disease is a febrile illness with severe gastrointestinal symptoms that can cause profound water and electrolyte depletion leading to circulatory collapse and death. Implementing practical protocols for managing fluids and electrolytes has not been given sufficient priority, which could substantially reduce the death rate.
A team of researchers will assess the ability of Nanotrap technology to detect Ebola virus in saliva, offering a safer and more accurate testing method. The project aims to address the dire need for better testing methods for Ebola, using non-invasive saliva collection and highly sensitive diagnostic tests.
The authors of a Transfusion commentary argue that forgoing routine lab tests may compromise patients' health more than any reduction in the risk of transmission. Experts recommend implementing well-characterized infection prevention and control recommendations to provide a safe environment for both patients and employees.
The NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine candidate was well-tolerated and produced immune system responses in all 20 healthy adults who received it. The vaccine induced a T-cell response, including CD8 T cells, which may play an important role in immune protection against Ebola viruses.
Researchers discovered that a key Ebola virus protein can trigger an excessive immune response, leading to massive inflammation and increased vascular permeability. This finding suggests a potential new target for reducing the severity of Ebola disease.
A new protocol for imaging Ebola patients has been developed to minimize risk of exposure, using portable computed radiography and thorough decontamination procedures. The step-by-step guide is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and aims to improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate suspected cases.
Radiologists have issued a special report on radiology preparedness for handling cases of Ebola virus, outlining protocols and recommendations for healthcare administrators. The report emphasizes the importance of clear communication, proper equipment use, and specialized isolation units to prevent infection of medical personnel.
Researchers have developed a new method to sequence Ebola virus genomes, reducing contaminating human RNA from 80% to less than 0.5%. The approach has been proven effective in the rapid sequencing of nearly 100 patient blood samples with a turnaround time of 10 days.