Scientists close in on Ebola

[Ptarmigan]

Scientists close in on Ebola
October 3, 2009
The Age

SCIENTISTS are closing in on the source of the Ebola and Marburg viruses, two of the world’s most lethal infectious diseases.

After a five-year search in Africa, virus hunters have identified a fruit bat that may be the natural host for both hemorrhage-causing diseases. The viruses also are more widespread than previously thought, according to their research, which will appear in BioMed Central journal.

Fll Article

===============================================

The source of Ebola and Marburg is likely fruit bat. If true, they would be the carrier of Ebola and Marburg. A vaccine and treatment could be found.

[Eupher]

I wouldn't mind seeing the environmental controls and PPE they've got for the workers who draw blood from bats who have been exposed to ebola.

Wow.

Ebola is just about as nasty as it gets. If it weren't so difficult to control, it could be a very, very potent terrorist weapon.

[thundley4]

Ebola is just about as nasty as it gets. If it weren't so difficult to control, it could be a very, very potent terrorist weapon.

I don't think lack of control would bother most terrorist groups. If they could weaponize it and hit the US with it, they probably would.

[Eupher]

I don't think lack of control would bother most terrorist groups. If they could weaponize it and hit the US with it, they probably would.

I think we're saying the same thing - to weaponize ebola tacitly means to control it. Since it's an airborne virus and easily killed, controlling the virus for weaponization has so far been problematic - at least from what I've read.

[thundley4]

I think we're saying the same thing - to weaponize ebola tacitly means to control it. Since it's an airborne virus and easily killed, controlling the virus for weaponization has so far been problematic - at least from what I've read.

I bet there are still people trying to do it, maybe even the US.

[Deuce]

Ebola's strengths are also its weaknesses. It kills fairly fast, allowing only a short period for transmission. It weakens the victim so fast that they don't move around much once symptoms appear. In Africa you'd see entire villages vanish but neighboring villages remain untouched. In the US, our constant travel and close contact make it a more serious problem, though.

I'm not sure the US has much interest in biological weapons. If extermination is our goal, we've got plenty of ways to do it in a far more controlled manner.

[Ptarmigan]

I wouldn't mind seeing the environmental controls and PPE they've got for the workers who draw blood from bats who have been exposed to ebola.

Wow.

Ebola is just about as nasty as it gets. If it weren't so difficult to control, it could be a very, very potent terrorist weapon.

Ebola requires a maximum containment lab to work with. Dangerous stuff right there. A needle tip worth of Ebola can kill millions.