Scientists now believe that the Ebola virus can mutate into an airborne form. Be assured, though, that this can only infect beings who breathe.
Well, it's only monkeys and pigs, so why worry?It was previously thought the untreatable virus, which causes massive internal bleeding and multiple organ failure, could only be transmitted through contact with infected blood.But now Canadian researchers have carried out experiments showing how monkeys can catch the deadly disease from infected pigs without coming into direct contact.
'Our findings support the hypothesis that airborne transmission may contribute to spread, specifically from pigs to primates, and may need to be considered in assessing transmission from animals to humans in general,' they said.This isn't very encouraging.
The virus can be contained because it kills its victims faster than it can spread to new ones.Pause to think about that. Then read this:
However, if the disease is now airborne it could make containment more difficult.Let's hope and pray that the 3,000 young Americans being sent to Africa to "fight" Ebola aren't being sent on a suicide mission. And maybe we should buy a supply of protective masks, just in case.
Read more here.
29 comments:
Squirrels can catch it, too.
The containment should be at the borders. No one from there should be allowed to travel, and no one should go there. No flights, buses, cars, or walking.
Airlift materiel only.
Force will be needed.
Nothing else will work.
But our borders are now porous and we are sending people there on purpose.
Obama wants us all dead.
By ISIS or virus.
Can viruses evolve?
Is this common?
Yep. Think about why a new flu vaccine is needed every year. Also, retroviruses like AIDS use part of their hosts' DNA, so they mutate all the time.
Let it be said that I told you so.
Pogo - What are you reading, or hearing from colleagues in epidemiology or infectious disease?
From what is reported, it looks like 1st world treatment results in a lower mortality rate.
In an 8th world shit hole, people die.
Even over there it looks like the mortality rate is only around 50%.
Let's hope and pray that the 3,000 young Americans being sent to Africa to "fight" Ebola aren't being sent on a suicide mission.
Anything for the glory of Obama and his bogus peace prize.
Here's the experiment.
It's not about mutation to an airborne form. It's about the possible transferability of the disease in its current form through large airborne droplets of pig saliva to macaques 8 inches downwind.
And the possibility that pigs can be carriers, which, I believe, is new information.
Their setup looks a little sloppy for drawing firm conclusions from this one study.
The Great Flu Pandemic of 1919 origins in the US was traced to soldiers @ Fort Riley who had been overseas and contracted it. We were MUCH less mobile 100 years ago.
We had a liberal President in Wilson and his inept handling of the 1919 Flu pandemic was fucking criminal. The Great Influenza is a superb book on the topic. Johns Hopkins was created to help fight this pandemic. The good thing that came out of it was medicine took a HUGE leap forward because of the work needed to save lives.
And, I should add, my credentials on this subject are that my brother used to work at USAMRIID and knew the people in the book "The Hot Zone". I think that makes me an expert. Well, close enough for government work.
He did say that back in the '90s they stopped working with Ebola as it was too dangerous, even in a Level 4 containment setting.
So there you have it - everything I know I learned from a Lt. Col. in the 82nd Airborne who loved him some Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, Lassa, bubonic plague, you name it - if it was dangerous he was all over it.
Which reminds me - I recently heard of a book that includes a story about one of his adventures - I must read it and report back.
And Rabel is right - dry aerosol transmission is different than being drooled on by an infected pig - ask anyone who dates football players.
Haz,
Infection folks are all over the map on this, from saying Don't worry be happy to We're all gonna DIE!!1!
My interpretation of that widely varied response is that it means no one has any solid idea one way or another.
As such, it seems prudent to treat it as the worst case scenario first, and ease restrictions if evidence shows that lesser containment strategies are safe.
But we're taking the don't worry be happy route.
Is this gonna be a zombie apocalypse?
Who knows, but it ain't gonna be beach blanket bingo, which is the current asinine approach.
I think Obama should personally meet with and shake the hand of each of The 3000 when they return to the U.S. and introduce them to his wife and daughters.
Isn't it good to know this generation's version of the Best and the Brightest are running the country?
I will say once again that Haz needs to change his name so that his last name becomes Matt.
It's the prudent thing to do.
Internetitis plea: How is sending American soldiers supposed to help?
Causing the deaths of Americans always helps Obama.
Yet another reason to stock up on more food and ammo. Wrist rockets for the squirrels and to whack the deer eating all our apples. (those are really fun and you can use dried beans as ammo, plus the birds will eat the ammo) Propane for the generator and bbqs in case we lose the natural gas or electricity. Batteries. Bleach. Maybe more cat food, after all they can only catch so many birds and man they whine when they are hungry.
Seriously. We are more than prepared to protect ourselves. Voluntary quarantine. Close the gates and shoot anyone who is persistent in coming up the driveway or across the property. If we have relatives coming for shelter....they can stay in the workshop across the parking area, until we are sure that they are not infectious. I will leave food for them in the middle of the road but they can just stay away until it is safe....or....you know.
I hope it doesn't come to that. But better to be prepared than not.
Our government is a complete failure. They are supposed to protect US, and instead are doing everything they can to destroy us: from massive waves of infectious illegal criminal aliens to bringing back one of the most deadly diseases that they could bring. I hope that everyone in Washington DC and all of their families get Ebola first so we can at least get some satisfaction out of the end of civilization.
deborah said...
Internetitis plea: How is sending American soldiers supposed to help?
They are setting up hospital beds, temporary hospitals.
It would seem best to the contain the disease in the countries of origin rather than have a massive outbreak that would be much harder to control.
Soldiers used to set up hospital beds?
Yeah, in addition to being Meals on Wheels, the American military now offers hospitality suites and community outreach.
Are they signing up these people with Ebola to vote with the Demacrats?
"It would seem best to contain the terrorists in the country of origin rather than have a massive outbreak that would be much harder to control."
FIFY!
Trooper York said...
"It would seem best to contain the terrorists in the country of origin rather than have a massive outbreak that would be much harder to control."
So why didn't Bush attack Saudi Arabia?
DBQ, I did a surveillance on a guy for insurance fraud. He lived on a farm in northern Wi. I would learn through some background checks he was a cannabis grower and had motion videos around his property. You sound equally prepared.
@ Nick
We only grow apples, pears, walnuts, cherries, rhubarb, squash and vegetables......really :-)
I just bought a dehydrator. I'm sick of making jams and pie fillings. We have enough. Looking forward to some dehydrated apples, pears and winter squash instead.
Actually. I would love to have some chickens, but the work involved is huge and the foxes, coyotes and mountain lions just love some chicken.
That was a mistake ARM.
They should have leveled Mecca.
I agree with you.
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