It looks like that it is a matter of luck for whoever contracts Ebola. You either live or die. All of the Americans who were transported to US survived. How many more days until they're out of woods? People that came in contact with Mr. Duncan?
It sounds like we've found a vaccine for monkeys, but not for humans. Interesting. It also sounds like there is a host somewhere, that can survive the virus for long periods of time while there is no outbreak, but that host has not yet been discovered. Interesting too. Those two items alone would lead me to believe a vaccine or cure is very possible with extended effort. Some animal knows how to survive it. And then second, hey, we got something working in Monkeys so we just have to figure out the mechanism behind that. I just think we have not put on a full court press yet, like we are now. It's impact zone was so small, so recent, and so far away, we didn't really care. And yes, it's true, there's no money to be made ( yet ). So a clear case of not preventing the disease until it's a bit down the road. but I'm hopeful. Think we will solve soon. We should definitely put it on display at a museum so that we can walk thru, and get a button that says, "I saw the ebola Virus, and I survived."
Has anyone ever cured a virus? Finding a cure for Ebola would open up the flood gates for other major viral infections. Crazy.
I know statistically and rationally this shouldn't be scary. But it's scary http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-10-08/2nd-dallas-patient-shows-ebola-symptoms-cbs-reports
True it's not and as someone who was touting advanced healthcare (sophisticated rehydration, availability to clotting factors, dialysis and etc..) this does make me worried. To stay somewhat positive Duncan was poorly served by the first hospital and if they had realized what they were dealing with then things might've turned out differently. At the minimum Mr. Duncan might've made the US healthcare and society take Ebola seriously so we can stop it from spreading.
Don't confuse cure with vaccination. "Treatment for Smallpox. There is no cure for the smallpox virus. As a result of worldwide, repeated vaccination programs, the variola virus (smallpox) has been completely eradicated. The only people considered to be at risk for smallpox are researchers who work with it in a laboratory setting."
Pretty sure there is no "cure" for ebola. Being hydrated and having medicine helps, but I think it is based on the individual if they live or die.
The Two Americans air lifted in the the country . .. .were they cured? I think they still alive but not sure about 'CURED' Rocket River
This strain seems to be rather easily transmittable for ebola with a longer incubation time -- this is a very bad combination as we are witnessing. I can't believe this ebola could become a world-wide pandemic, but if it got into India and/ or China -- who knows.
Not sure why no one is talking about it, but there is an outbreak of Marburg in Uganda, another deadly virus similar to Ebola. http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/health/uganda-marburg-death/index.html
Someone proffered the Idea . . . . ..that it was best he 'died' because they did not want people in Africa getting the idea that if you 'sneak into America' you can be cured That letting him die . . .would discourage people from trying to get here for treatments that are not available there. . . . I thought to myself . . the logic is sound but cold and inhumane Let one die to discourage others . . . SMH I'm not saying that is what happened but . . . . I am not saying it didn't either Rocket River
Vaccination is considered a cure since it prevents infection and transmission. Further there are several vaccines that can be given even post infection that speed up recovery from the infection. That said if you are just talking about things that specifically attack the infection there are many antiviral drugs out there that can be given post infection.
By the way, if you want to see disturbing, read the comments in that zero hedge update about the possible 2nd Dallas-area case. Good lord. I hope nobody is surprised by a 2nd case. I would expect a handful, since a lot of people were exposed by Duncan before we knew ebola was here. There will probably be a few deaths in the Dallas area. But I think that would be about it. Knowing it's around is key. Here's a scary question that occurs to me just now though... this virus seems like it can live in bodily fluids after a person is dead, and it can do that for a while. So the burial process has been spreading the disease in Africa, for instance. And people here worry about towels and sheets, etc. Well, if a person has symptoms and uses the toilet in their house, then they put the virus in the public sewer system, right? How long can it "live" in a sewer system and where does it really go?
Been watching NBC news. This possible second patient is a Dallas deputy who went into the Duncan's apartment. As part of precautionary procedure, all of the public personnel who have contact with Duncan in any way must see their doctors if they feel they have physical problem. This deputy did not feel well, so he did what he was told. The word is "he though he was not feeling well" but he is NOT showing classic Ebola symptoms. My bet is there is no issue here. News update live is coming at 3:30pm, in 8 minutes. http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Frisco-Investigating-Possible-Ebola-Case-278555081.html?partner=nbcnews
I admit I laughed too. I actually thought it was a poorly placed advert at first. Great news if the deputy tests negative, btw.