Testing the DNA of the Ebola virus on-site in the field in less than a day is now possible thanks to a new system developed by researchers. Real-time genomic surveillance will provide information on the virus and its rate of evolution – as well as characterizing its response to treatments and vaccines. The kit weighs […]
Tag: ebola
How Ebola spread during the 2014-2015 epidemic
Using genome sequencing researchers have mapped how the Ebola virus spread in Western Africa during 2014 – 2015. They found Ebola entered the country several times during the early outbreak, however most of the infections were due to a single introduction of the virus, which spread rapidly. Researchers performed the sequencing in Liberia to trace the […]
Over fifty new potential drugs against Ebola
Researchers have identified 53 existing drugs that could prevent the entry of Ebola virus into human cells. To achieve this result, they screened 2816 drugs that are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the US. These drugs are already used as antibiotics, antihistamines (against allergies), antipsychotics or against cancer. They now need […]
How ZMapp fights Ebola
A new study highlights the biochemical mechanisms behind ZMapp, a promising experimental treatment against Ebola virus infection developed with the involvement of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Using single-particle electron microscopy, researchers determined the structures of each monoclonal antibody in the Zmapp cocktail and how each one binds to vulnerable sites on the Ebola […]
Ebola: how ZMAb, and ZMapp, works
Researchers at the Public Health Agency of Canada have studied how the experimental Ebola-treating antibody cocktail ZMAb – a major constituent of the drug ZMApp – fights the virus. They report that the drug binds to the proteins on the surface of the virus and neutralises its activity. The researchers say the findings may help […]
Controlling Ebola outbreak in West Africa most effective way to decrease international
Controlling the Ebola virus outbreak at the source in West Africa is the most effective way to decrease international risk of transmission, a new study of global airline travel patterns shows. The authors used a model that predicts that three people infected with Ebola are predicted to fly from West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra […]
Senegal is now Ebola-free
On Friday, October 17, the World Health Organization declared that Senegal is now free of Ebola virus transmission. Senegal had a single case of Ebola in late August. All those who contacted the patient have now completed the 21-day monitoring period are are symptom free and tested negative for the virus. A similar announcement about […]
Ebola in DRC different than that in West Africa
The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is caused by a different virus strain than the one circulating in West Africa, a new study shows. Researchers conclude that the two Ebola outbreaks are not linked to one another. At least 49 people have died from Ebola in Congo between July 26 […]
