Current & Past Research
past
The facility where the infected blood samples were stored was highly protected and very secured. There were alarms that triggered if the air system failed, the walls were painted with special epoxy paint, and even the edges of electrical outlets were sealed with a gooey material. The actual blood samples were contained in small glass vials that were kept in super-freezers. These freezers were maintained with a temperature of -160° Fahrenheit, and they were fitted with padlocks and alarms. They were also plastered with sticky tape - the first line of defense against a hot agent. |
Dr. Karl Johnson, a researcher who investigated Ebola when it first appeared, organized an isolated floating hospital ship in the Congo River. Because the city was considered to be the hot zone, the ship would be the grey area (the place of refuge for the doctors). Johnson describes that, after receiving a box with an infected boy’s blood serum, he removed the “golden” liquid from inside the plastic tubes that came in a Ziploc bag in a metal cylinder in the box. He would store this sample in stainless steel Bio safety Level 4 cabinets, where one could be handle a hot agent inside them with rubber gloves that protruded into them, without allowing the virus or disease to be exposed to the outside world (keeping human beings from coming into direct contact with nature). These cabinets are similar to those used to handle nuclear-bomb parts. That just goes to show how carefully researchers had to handle the hot virus. |
The bodies of those deceased were also handled very carefully. In order to prevent any further spread of the Ebola virus, they would wrap up the virus’s victims in sheets that had been soaked in chemicals, then double-bag the bodies in plastic. This method is still used today. The mummies were then each placed in an airtight coffin with a screw down lid, and funerals were held at the hospital under the supervision of doctors. |
current
All aspects of Ebola and Marburg viruses are being investigated and studied by researchers all over the country, specifically in the NIAID Division of Intramural Research and some at the Institute’s Vaccine Research Center. They are studying information such as about how they spread and how they cause diseases. They are also investigating tools to assist in early diagnosis of Ebola in order to better the diagnosis of Ebola. Ways to treat Ebola and Marburg fevers is another huge aspect they are working on. They are even promising work on vaccines!
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Overall ....
their goal is to find answers to important questions, and find out whether or not new approaches are safe and effective.
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There are no current treatments can cure viral hemorrhagic fevers. However, there are antiviral drugs such as ribavirin that can often shorten the course of certain hemorrhagic fevers, and also help prevent complications and relapses.
Ecological investigations are being conducted on Ebola virus and its possible habitat. In order to prevent future outbreaks, more extensive knowledge about the natural habitat of the virus and how it is spread must be acquired first, and researchers are on top of this investigation. Scientists are also monitoring suspected Ebola infected areas in order to determine how common Ebola outbreaks are. In terms of work with vaccines, research scientists are currently studying and testing an experimental vaccine for the deadly virus. It has shown promise in previous studies that tested the vaccine on monkeys. They are still conducting tests are on the safety of the vaccine on humans. |
“We must act now to prevent further spread of EBOLA VIRUS. If we do not act collectively, EBOLA VIRUS will wipe all whole populations and generations into their grave. The call to action is now.”
- Lailah Gifty Akita, Author