With all of the news based around the Ebola virus lately, it would be hard for anybody not to feel frightened by the threat. The virus has orphaned many children in Sierra Leone, and its survival rate is just 30%. It’s difficult to make sure that it is contained in just one place, as airports have no way of stopping people from coming through. However, researchers have finally introduced a vaccine for Ebola. This vaccine is not taken in the way you’d expect though: you must inhale it in order for it to work. Human trials are soon to begin, but this vaccine has already been tested on monkeys and protected them for up to 3 months. Read on to learn more:
As this new Ebola vaccine is inhalable, it would be much easier to ship and distribute it to those in need. This is good news for the people of Africa, who are in desperate need of a way to keep this virus under control before it makes any more orphans of their children.
This virus is usually fatal, spread among the population due to contact with bodily fluids or blood from somebody who is infected. Their infection control procedures are not as effective as ours, which is why it is so easily spread. It is the largest epidemic Africa has seen since the virus was first discovered in the year 1976. The fatality rate can be as high as 70%, making this virus a cause for concern all around the globe.
In Africa and Asia, the results are truly devastating. Fatality rates of 25-90% are making it difficult for people to cope. No licensed vaccines or treatments currently exist for Ebola, although some progress has been made in understanding it better. This means the need for a vaccine is desperate. The vaccine should stop the virus being spread from person to person, and should also ward off any future instances. It needs to be regulated, which means it should be created with a process using something like white mountain process mixing tanks.
There are high costs associated with syringe distribution and needle safety disposal, which is why this inhalation method is much more desirable. Clinical trials will soon test the effectiveness of the vaccine on humans. The vaccine is also being looked at as a thin film under the tongue.
It can be hard to detect Ebola, as the symptoms can be the same as other illnesses. You must remember that it is a low threat for countries outside of Africa, due to effective infection control procedures. Also, Ebola is only infectious when the symptoms start. The best way to avoid this virus is to avoid people with Ebola-like symptoms, and avoid contaminated objects.
Symptoms include:
- Headaches.
- Fever.
- Body aches.
- Cough.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach pain.
Try not to panic unless you have recently visited a country infected with Ebola and have possibly had contact with an infected person. Countries outside of Africa and Asia are at low risk. Just pray that a vaccine is soon released.
