I previously posted an article concerning Ebola Virus. Ebola was introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals( chimpanzees, gorillas,
fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines).
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days. Its symptoms includes:
- Sudden onset of fever,
- Intense weakness, muscle pain
- Headache and sore throat.
- Vomiting,
- Diarrhoea,
- Rash
- Impaired kidney and liver function,-Both internal and external bleeding.
For several months, the whole of west Africa have being heating up with the advent of the deadly Ebola virus outbreak. Three west african countries have being crippled with the outbreak of the virus. Namely, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with several rumours that i pray they remain rumours circulating around the net that Ebola virus is in my own Country, Nigeria. The virus has being on the front pages of several newspapers, television and its news is everywhere online.
A report came in, titled: Experimental drug likely saved Ebola patients. The drug named Zmapp was developed by the biotech firm Mapp Bio-pharmaceutical Inc and it was flown into liberia secretly inside experimental vials stored at subzero temperatures last week to save the American missionary workers, Dr Brantly and Writebol who had contracted Ebola Virus while taking care of the Ebola victims in Liberia.
According to Cnn, the drug is a three-mouse monoclonal antibody, which means that lab mice were exposed to fragments of the Ebola virus and then the antibodies generated within the mice's blood were harvested to create the medicine. It works by preventing the virus from entering and infecting new cells. Ebola Virus attacks the cell nucleus and colonizes it; making the cell differentiate, creating the virus itself in rapid succession instead of creating its own type of cell. The cell then bursts open to release the Ebola virus into the E.c.f(extra cellular fluid ) and the released viruses will go on to attack other cells creating the same impact. The Zmapp drug prevents the Virus from spreading.
Also, documents from the pharmaceutical company that developed the drug stated that four monkeys infected with Ebola survived after being given the therapy within 24 hours after infection. Two of four
other monkeys that started therapy within 48 hours after infection also survived. One monkey that was not treated died within five days of exposure to the virus.
Dr Brantly who first recieved the drug through I.V.f was quick to recover from his terrible health condition. They were both stable enough to be evacuated to America for further treatment.
Could this be the cure and end to this deadly virus that plans to end the human race? Share your views and thoughts about this new development.
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