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Airborne ebola? It's possible..

#1
Magical Realist Offline
(CNN) -- "Today, the Ebola virus spreads only through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as blood and vomit. But some of the nation's top infectious disease experts worry that this deadly virus could mutate and be transmitted just by a cough or a sneeze.
"It's the single greatest concern I've ever had in my 40-year public health career," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. "I can't imagine anything in my career -- and this includes HIV -- that would be more devastating to the world than a respiratory transmissible Ebola virus."
Osterholm and other experts couldn't think of another virus that has made the transition from non-airborne to airborne in humans. They say the chances are relatively small that Ebola will make that jump. But as the virus spreads, they warned, the likelihood increases.
Every time a new person gets Ebola, the virus gets another chance to mutate and develop new capabilities. Osterholm calls it "genetic roulette."
As of October 1, there have been more than 7,100 cases of Ebola, with 3,330 deaths, according to the World Health Organization, which has said the virus is spreading at a much faster rate than it was earlier in the outbreak.
Ebola is an RNA virus, which means every time it copies itself, it makes one or two mutations. Many of those mutations mean nothing, but some of them might be able to change the way the virus behaves inside the human body.
"Imagine every time you copy an essay, you change a word or two. Eventually, it's going to change the meaning of the essay," said Dr. C.J. Peters, one of the heroes featured in "The Hot Zone."====http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/12/health/ebola-airborne/
#2
C C Offline
Argh, I just wish it would fade from the news before self-destructing "I'm gonna' take the rest of you along with me" terrorists start getting ideas. Back in the late '80s they were speculating about HIV become mutable enough to be airborne, too (and mosquitoes transmitting it, and yada yada).
#3
Mr Doodlebug Offline
If it becomes airbourne, I expect that the death rate in the West will be lower than in Africa,
but it will kill many of us whiteys too.
It is in everyone's interest to combat the disease while it is still hard to catch, not simply
write people off because they are Africans.
#4
Mr Doodlebug Offline
There seems to be a few instances where Ebola is being contracted despite the use of protective suits.
That would seem to give lie to the statement that it is very hard to catch.
#5
stryder Offline
I'm no Virologist however from what little I know most viruses need to be of a large enough ppm to overcome a bodies immune system and be able to replicate. That's why for the most part the most deadly of viruses require direct contact or fluid exchanges. Air-born viruses have the problem that air can constantly shift and mix, a person would have to be in a closed contaminated environment for a prolong period of time for it to become a concern.

(So if you are feeling a little hypochondrial paranoia, stay outside.)
#6
Magical Realist Offline
A nurse who dealt with the Dallas ebola patient now has ebola now and she was wearing a full hazmat suit. I wonder if there's something the CDC isn't telling us about this..(conspiracy theories notwithstanding)..
#7
cluelusshusbund Offline
(Oct 12, 2014 07:52 PM)Magical Realist Wrote: A nurse who dealt with the Dallas ebola patient now has ebola now and she was wearing a full hazmat suit. I wonder if there's something the CDC isn't telling us about this..(conspiracy theories notwithstanding)..

I looked as some you-tube vidoes of people demonstratin how to take off contaminated gloves gown mask an googles/glasses... an none of 'em seemed all that careful about it... an im guessin the nurse contaminated herself.!!!

I read one place that some hospitals are trainin ther employes on proper procedures by givin 'em written instructions an a link to a video.!!!

 


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