Blueprint for R&D Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies Due to Highly Infectious Pathogens: Workshop on Prioritization of Pathogens
World Health Organization. 02/24/2016This seven-page document summarizes a meeting held on December 8-9, 2015, to prepare a process for prioritization of pathogens under the blueprint for accelerated R&D for severe emerging diseases with potential to generate a public health emergency, and for which no, or insufficient, preventive and curative solutions exist. Diseases requiring R&D include filovirus diseases (Ebola and Marburg), highly pathogenic emerging Coronaviruses relevant to humans (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and SARS), chikungunya, and Zika virus. (PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Di...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - April 1, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news
An Online Survey to Assess Awareness of Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola virus (EV). The virus belongs to the family Filoviridae and has a mortality rate of 20 to 90% in humans (1). Although EV was first discovered by Peter Piot following an outbreak of disease in 1976 (2), the 2014 epidemic has been much more extensive and disastrous. The reasons for such a significant death toll in the countries affected could be the low socioeconomic conditions that exist in the countries of endemicity, high rates of illiteracy, and overall unpreparedness in terms of facilities needed to provide care for the sick. (Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - July 24, 2015 Category: Microbiology Authors: Hindol Maity, Rithu Paul Stansilaus, Anjana Krishan, M. Riya, Vahid Rajabali Zadeh, Piya Paul Mudgal, Govindakarnavar Arunkumar Tags: Case Report Source Type: news
Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus disease
Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a death rate of up to 90% caused by Ebola virus, a member of the filovirus family. The Ebola virus was first identified in 1976 when 2 simultaneous outbreaks occurred, 1 in Yambuku, a village not far from the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the other in a remote area of Sudan. (Source: WHO news on Ebola)
Source: WHO news on Ebola - July 14, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola virus disease, ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola virus disease, ebola [subject], ebola haemhorragic fever, ebola virus, ebola fever, ebola Source Type: news
A First Responder's Guide to Ebola
"Filoviridae is the only known virus family about which we have such profound ignorance."
-- C.J. Peters & J.W. LeDuc, National Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC
Learning Objectives
Identify the signs and symptoms of Ebola.
Learn the pathogenesis of Ebola.
Understand how Ebola is transmitted and how to protect yourself when caring for an infected patient.
KEY Terms
Cytokine: Proteins important in cell signaling in immune response.
Dendritic cells: Immune cells that encourage T-cell response.
Macrophages: White blood cells that engulf foreign cells and assist in inflammation and immune processes.
Tissue f...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - May 4, 2015 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: James F. Goss, MHA, MICP Tags: Infectious Diseases Operations Provider Wellness & Safety Patient Care Source Type: news
Texas Biomed scientist receives up to $2.36 million NIH grant over 5 years to study new virus detection
(Texas Biomedical Research Institute) Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio are receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health in the form of a $2.36 million R01 grant over the next five years to focus efforts on exploring and developing a novel mechanism of Filovirus detection -- using llama antibodies. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - April 9, 2015 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Novavax Presents New Data From Non-Human Primate Ebola Challenge at the 7th International Symposium on Filoviruses
(Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))
Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) - March 28, 2015 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Yes, we can stop viruses such as Ebola and Rabies. Here's how.
(World Scientific) With a group of like-minded scientists, editors Asit K Pattanaik and Michael Whitt have compiled a timely publication entitled 'Biology and Pathogenesis of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses' discussing the most recent findings on processes and current status of development of vaccines and antivirals to mitigate the diseases caused by viruses like Ebola and Rabies. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 27, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Trial confirms Ebola vaccine candidate safe, equally immunogenic in Africa
Two experimental DNA vaccines to prevent Ebola virus and the closely related Marburg virus are safe, and generated a similar immune response in healthy Ugandan adults as reported in healthy US adults earlier this year. The findings are from the first trial of filovirus vaccines in Africa. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - December 23, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news
Experimental Ebola vaccines are ruled safe
The first trial of filovirus vaccines in Africa has a positive response (Source: Telegraph Health)
Source: Telegraph Health - December 22, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Ebola, Marburg viruses edit genetic material during infection
(American Society for Microbiology) Filoviruses like Ebola 'edit' genetic material as they invade their hosts, according to a study published this week in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The work, by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the Galveston National Laboratory, and the J. Craig Venter Institute, could lead to a better understanding of these viruses, paving the way for new treatments down the road. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - November 4, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Research Priorities to Inform Public Health and Medical Practice for Domestic Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): A Workshop
November 3, 2014, Washington, DC. This one-day workshop that will explore potential research priorities arising as a result of the emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a hemorrhagic disease caused by a filovirus, in the United States. The workshop will be available by webcast. (Source: PHPartners.org)
Source: PHPartners.org - October 30, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Evolutionary Roots of the Ebola Virus
Study finds filoviruses likely existed in the Miocene Epoch, and at that time, the evolutionary lines leading to Ebola and Marburg had already diverged (Source: Disabled World)
Source: Disabled World - October 24, 2014 Category: Disability Tags: Ebola Virus Source Type: news
Workshop on public health research for Ebola
(National Academy of Sciences) An ad hoc committee, under the auspices of the Institute of Medicine in collaboration with the National Research Council will organize a one-day workshop that will explore potential research priorities arising as a result of the emergence of Ebola Virus Disease, a hemorrhagic disease caused by a filovirus, in the United States. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - October 15, 2014 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Ebola vaccine hope after successful animal study
Conclusion
This study has shown the potential of a new vaccine for Ebola virus in chimpanzees. Interest in the quest for a vaccine is seen as urgent, due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Animal studies such as this are needed to ensure that any new vaccines are safe, and that they look like they will have an effect. Macaques were used for this research because they, like humans, are primates – therefore, their responses to the vaccine should be similar to what would be expected in humans.
Now that these tests have shown promising results, the first human trials have started in the US, according to repo...
Source: NHS News Feed - September 8, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Medication Source Type: news
Experimental Treatment for Marburg Virus Shows Promise in Primates (FREE)
By Kelly Young
Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD
An experimental treatment resulted in 100% survival in primates infected with Marburg virus, a filovirus — like Ebola — that causes hemorrhagic fever, according to a study in Science … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - August 21, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
