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PennyQuilts
07-28-2014, 11:02 AM
Probably my biggest fear besides heights. They are having a hard time controlling it in Africa and families have been hiding their sick members to avoid them being placed in quarantine to die alone. They are closing the minor border crossings in Liberia but at the rate it's going, it's going to jump.


I would rather be hit by an asteroid.

kelroy55
07-28-2014, 11:18 AM
I've only read a little so far but have they said where and how it started?

PennyQuilts
07-28-2014, 11:44 AM
I've only read a little so far but have they said where and how it started?

As I understand it, there are several different strains of Ebola and it has been around awhile. I think I read that bats can carry it. It is in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia and Guinea. Here is a European link:

What is the Ebola virus, and how worried should we be? - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/10995322/What-is-the-Ebola-virus-and-how-worried-should-we-be.html)

Dennis Heaton
07-28-2014, 11:55 AM
From 12 years ago...

Ebola Outbreak in North America? - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117645)

kelroy55
07-28-2014, 12:53 PM
Scary stuff

betts
07-28-2014, 12:58 PM
Hopefully the CDC is feverishly (pun intended) supporting work on a vaccine. They've had a few years warning.

Uncle Slayton
07-28-2014, 03:09 PM
Probably my biggest fear besides heights. They are having a hard time controlling it in Africa and families have been hiding their sick members to avoid them being placed in quarantine to die alone. They are closing the minor border crossings in Liberia but at the rate it's going, it's going to jump.


I would rather be hit by an asteroid.

Gotta dust off my copy of "The Stand". It's beginning to look a little Stephen King-y.

PennyQuilts
07-28-2014, 08:25 PM
Gotta dust off my copy of "The Stand". It's beginning to look a little Stephen King-y.

The Hot Zone... [shudder!]

RadicalModerate
07-28-2014, 09:20 PM
Just reading the words, "The Hot Zone"--in reference to a book that I once read, many years ago, makes me cringe.
It was one of those books that somehow sticks with one subconsciously.
Remember how it started with that guy exploring a cave somewhere in central Africa, around the time and place of Idi Amin, and disturbing what never should have been disturbed? Plus all the batsh*t and stuff. It was sort of like Dr. No meets Michael Crichton . . . Except it was FOR REAL.

Did Stephen King write "Cujo" before or after "The Hot Zone"?

Is this a case of Life--or more accurately Death--Imitating Art?

PennyQuilts
07-29-2014, 06:39 AM
Yeah, that's the book, RM - and it is nonfiction.

Uncle Slayton
07-29-2014, 03:07 PM
And now, Sierra Leone's top specialist in viral hemorrhagic fevers has died of the disease. Sierra Leone's top Ebola doctor dies from virus (http://news.yahoo.com/asky-suspends-sierra-leone-liberia-flights-amid-ebola-143119185.html)

silvergrove
07-29-2014, 03:42 PM
The Hot Zone... [shudder!]

The Hot Zone was one of the books that helped inspire me to get my Ph.D. in microbiology.

PennyQuilts
07-29-2014, 04:12 PM
Well then, Silver, you are hereby appointed as the OKCTALK resident expert if ebola jumps and we need someone to talk us down off the ceiling. :). I am scaring myself by re-reading the Hot Zone, btw.

silvergrove
07-29-2014, 04:23 PM
Well then, Silver, you are hereby appointed as the OKCTALK resident expert if ebola jumps and we need someone to talk us down off the ceiling. :). I am scaring myself by re-reading the Hot Zone, btw.

:)

My understanding of Ebola is that human to human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids (ie like blood). I'm not sure it spreads as well through aerosol transmission (ie like sneezing or coughing, which is how influenza spreads). Even if it does jump to the United States, quarantine would be enforced almost immediately to isolate the patient and limit spread of the pathogen.

The other thing that works against the Ebola virus is ironically, its lethality. A "good" pathogen will infect its host but not kill its host. It's a dead end for it, since if the host dies, it dies too. Basically it kills too fast to spread from human to human effectively. If Ebola acted like influenza, it would have jumped continents already. Successful viral pathogens like HIV remains in the host, evades the immune response, and not outright kill the host until it has the chance to spread to more hosts. If anything, we are an accidental host for the Ebola virus, albeit with deadly consequences.

So you're probably good unless you play with Ebola-infected blood.

PennyQuilts
07-29-2014, 04:41 PM
:)

My understanding of Ebola is that human to human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids (ie like blood). I'm not sure it spreads as well through aerosol transmission (ie like sneezing or coughing, which is how influenza spreads). Even if it does jump to the United States, quarantine would be enforced almost immediately to isolate the patient and limit spread of the pathogen.

The other thing that works against the Ebola virus is ironically, its lethality. A "good" pathogen will infect its host but not kill its host. It's a dead end for it, since if the host dies, it dies too. Basically it kills too fast to spread from human to human effectively. If Ebola acted like influenza, it would have jumped continents already. Successful viral pathogens like HIV remains in the host, evades the immune response, and not outright kill the host until it has the chance to spread to more hosts. If anything, we are an accidental host for the Ebola virus, albeit with deadly consequences.

So you're probably good unless you play with Ebola-infected blood.

See, you are already doing a great job. Note to self, avoid playing with Ebola-infected blood. :). According to what I've read, a host isn't contagious unless they are symptomatic. I hope that is true.

PennyQuilts
08-02-2014, 10:18 AM
I have some questions and haven't found the answers to them - maybe someone else knows.

1 - They are bringing the two American ebola patients back from Africa to Atlanta to be treated. Who gave permission to do this?
2 - What care will these patients get that they wouldn't get there? If they don't get different care, why did they bring them here?
3 - If other Americans in Africa get the disease, will they bring them here? Will they go to the same hospital? Has a precedent been set? How can they tell a different American that they will be treated differently? Will they bring a different national working for an American organization back to the states for treatment if they get sick?

I would want my loved one here, of course, but I haven't seen anything to indicate they will get better care, here since they are getting supportive care and not anything else. Will the charity be paying the additional costs of transport and staffing at the hospital? I just don't really understand why they are doing this. With critically ill patients, why move them to a separate continent? Is this to allow the hospital to study it?

Chadanth
08-02-2014, 10:24 AM
I have some questions and haven't found the answers to them - maybe someone else knows.

1 - They are bringing the two American ebola patients back from Africa to Atlanta to be treated. Who gave permission to do this?
2 - What care will these patients get that they wouldn't get there? If they don't get different care, why did they bring them here?
3 - If other Americans in Africa get the disease, will they bring them here? Will they go to the same hospital? Has a precedent been set? How can they tell a different American that they will be treated differently? Will they bring a different national working for an American organization back to the states for treatment if they get sick?

I would want my loved one here, of course, but I haven't seen anything to indicate they will get better care, here since they are getting supportive care and not anything else. Will the charity be paying the additional costs of transport and staffing at the hospital? I just don't really understand why they are doing this. With critically ill patients, why move them to a separate continent? Is this to allow the hospital to study it?

Just some moderately informed and assumptive answer:
1. Permission would come from VERY high up in the government, probably from a cabinet appointee or signed off by the president himself. There are a lot of protocols out there for dealing with things like this, and Ebola is considered to be among the more dangerous contagions (obviously).
2. It's not difficult to assume that the patients would get exponentially better care at the cdc or Emory than they would in west Africa. It also allows for the disease to be studied in a more controlled environment.
3. I still think it's a bad idea, despite the presumption that American standards of hygiene would make the disease harder to spread even if it gets out. You never know.

David
08-02-2014, 10:25 AM
:)

My understanding of Ebola is that human to human transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids (ie like blood). I'm not sure it spreads as well through aerosol transmission (ie like sneezing or coughing, which is how influenza spreads). Even if it does jump to the United States, quarantine would be enforced almost immediately to isolate the patient and limit spread of the pathogen.

The other thing that works against the Ebola virus is ironically, its lethality. A "good" pathogen will infect its host but not kill its host. It's a dead end for it, since if the host dies, it dies too. Basically it kills too fast to spread from human to human effectively. If Ebola acted like influenza, it would have jumped continents already. Successful viral pathogens like HIV remains in the host, evades the immune response, and not outright kill the host until it has the chance to spread to more hosts. If anything, we are an accidental host for the Ebola virus, albeit with deadly consequences.

So you're probably good unless you play with Ebola-infected blood.

That more or less matches my layman's understanding, which is why I haven't been too concerned about this hitting the US or Europe (or really any first world country) and spreading like wildfire. Lots of terrible potential for any country that cannot properly manage to implement proper quarantines, though.

PennyQuilts
08-02-2014, 10:31 AM
Just some moderately informed and assumptive answer:
1. Permission would come from VERY high up in the government, probably from a cabinet appointee or signed off by the president himself. There are a lot of protocols out there for dealing with things like this, and Ebola is considered to be among the more dangerous contagions (obviously).
2. It's not difficult to assume that the patients would get exponentially better care at the cdc or Emory than they would in west Africa. It also allows for the disease to be studied in a more controlled environment.
3. I still think it's a bad idea, despite the presumption that American standards of hygiene would make the disease harder to spread even if it gets out. You never know.

It is frightening beyond belief to think that it might get out but I've been not focusing on that. My personal bewilderment has been whether this is a new policy if Americans or nationals working for Americans fall ill. It is one thing to send two people to a controlled setting (separate flights, btw, because they lack additional secure transport). It is another to expand this to bring in additional patients, different hospitals, blah, blah. I can see the comfort that it might bring a family to have a loved one on American shores. I get that. But I don't really see how this is a net benefit for the country and the risks are just so high.

BBatesokc
08-02-2014, 11:05 AM
Personally, I think too many American's have been watching too many zombie apocalypse movies (or disease outbreak type movies in general). The short incubation period, high mortality rate and close contact requirement for transmission are all huge strikes against Ebola being a serious wide scale health threat in the US in this day and age - at the least the current strains. Don't know if its a retro-mutating virus like HIV, so that could all change in the future.

silvergrove
08-02-2014, 11:21 AM
Just some moderately informed and assumptive answer:
1. Permission would come from VERY high up in the government, probably from a cabinet appointee or signed off by the president himself. There are a lot of protocols out there for dealing with things like this, and Ebola is considered to be among the more dangerous contagions (obviously).
2. It's not difficult to assume that the patients would get exponentially better care at the cdc or Emory than they would in west Africa. It also allows for the disease to be studied in a more controlled environment.
3. I still think it's a bad idea, despite the presumption that American standards of hygiene would make the disease harder to spread even if it gets out. You never know.

Mostly yes, and perhaps there might be some experimental treatment that might be awaiting the afflicted once they arrive here. For point 3 though, I don't think it sets dangerous precedent. Ebola is not as contagious as the flu so its okay if they're here. We do have centers that are equipped with the necessary precautions, ie negative pressure rooms and BSL-4 facilities.

silvergrove
08-02-2014, 11:26 AM
Personally, I think too many American's have been watching too many zombie apocalypse movies (or disease outbreak type movies in general). The short incubation period, high mortality rate and close contact requirement for transmission are all huge strikes against Ebola being a serious wide scale health threat in the US in this day and age - at the least the current strains. Don't know if its a retro-mutating virus like HIV, so that could all change in the future.

Ebola isn't a retrovirus like HIV but as it is an RNA virus, it would have a higher mutation rate...

Dustin
08-02-2014, 11:32 AM
I can't believe they are letting it cross the ocean...

silvergrove
08-02-2014, 11:34 AM
It is frightening beyond belief to think that it might get out but I've been not focusing on that. My personal bewilderment has been whether this is a new policy if Americans or nationals working for Americans fall ill. It is one thing to send two people to a controlled setting (separate flights, btw, because they lack additional secure transport). It is another to expand this to bring in additional patients, different hospitals, blah, blah. I can see the comfort that it might bring a family to have a loved one on American shores. I get that. But I don't really see how this is a net benefit for the country and the risks are just so high.

I think the US rushing Dr. Brantly home for treatment is due to the fact that he's one of the few medical doctors in the world with firsthand experience of fighting this virus. I think public outcry is misguided due to preconceived notions of what this virus can and cannot do. If I remember correctly, a single influenza season has killed more people than the Ebola virus had in its entire known existence.

It just seems scarier since we don't know it as well and is of an exotic origin. I would be more worried about another Spanish flu pandemic than an Ebola outbreak.

David
08-02-2014, 02:25 PM
Worries about precedent setting are unfounded in my opinion. Everyone actually involved in this are highly trained professionals who understand what different diseases and different circumstances actually mean. Don't think that they are going to freely fly a theoretical future super virus into the country just because they flew Ebola in once. Similarly, they aren't going to start flying hundreds of Ebola cases in either.

Rover
08-02-2014, 03:44 PM
I think the US rushing Dr. Brantly home for treatment is due to the fact that he's one of the few medical doctors in the world with firsthand experience of fighting this virus. I think public outcry is misguided due to preconceived notions of what this virus can and cannot do. If I remember correctly, a single influenza season has killed more people than the Ebola virus had in its entire known existence.

It just seems scarier since we don't know it as well and is of an exotic origin. I would be more worried about another Spanish flu pandemic than an Ebola outbreak.

Further to your point, this is not an airborne virus and easier to contain. And, people with it aren't contagious until they are quite sick. It spreads in Africa where sick family members are being treated at home and family members are cleaning up after them, etc. It is HIGHLY contagious under the right circumstances, but doesn't spread like flu. Bring someone into one of the more advanced isolation wards in the world is not a big risk.

gjl
08-03-2014, 12:25 PM
Worries about precedent setting are unfounded in my opinion. Everyone actually involved in this are highly trained professionals who understand what different diseases and different circumstances actually mean. Don't think that they are going to freely fly a theoretical future super virus into the country just because they flew Ebola in once. Similarly, they aren't going to start flying hundreds of Ebola cases in either.

Aren't the 2 people just flown in highly trained professionals? And they somehow got infected.

David
08-03-2014, 01:05 PM
The conditions in third world countries in Africa and a secure facility in Atlanta are not remotely comparable, and neither is the choice between them going there to try to save lives and how carefully similar personal will approach handling them and the disease they are carrying.

PennyQuilts
08-03-2014, 06:20 PM
Reportedly, the doctor in Atlanta is improving. I sure hope he recovers.

kelroy55
08-03-2014, 06:24 PM
Reportedly, the doctor in Atlanta is improving. I sure hope he recovers.

He walked in on his own, with a little help, so that's encouraging.

RadicalModerate
08-03-2014, 08:44 PM
He walked in on his own, with a little help, so that's encouraging.

I trust that no rogue or stray asteroids were involved in his treatment.
(no kidding, kelroy, read "The Hot Zone" it might alter your mindset on this sort of stuff. I know it altered mine.)
("Stay Away From Batcaves in IdiAminVille" . . . good advice.)

silvergrove
08-03-2014, 09:37 PM
I trust that no rogue or stray asteroids were involved in his treatment.
(no kidding, kelroy, read "The Hot Zone" it might alter your mindset on this sort of stuff. I know it altered mine.)
("Stay Away From Batcaves in IdiAminVille" . . . good advice.)

Wat.

Anyways, we need stronger quarantine and better inspection of health care workers who have been working in affected regions. Apparently, suspected cases of Ebola has spread to outside regions like the Philippines (http://english.cntv.cn/2014/08/02/VIDE1406955241574888.shtml) and Morocco (http://www.news.heritageliberia.net/index.php/inside-heritage/health/3583-liberian-dies-in-morocco-of-ebola-internal-affairs-minister-discloses).

Although the virus is still not super contagious and mainly limited to bodily fluids, there still needs to be better surveillance of health care workers.

Update!

Looks like the Filipino cases are potential false positives. I commend the Filipino government for at least monitoring the situation: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/625689/ebola-watch-7-filipinos-from-africa-checked-daily

BBatesokc
08-04-2014, 04:55 AM
Its amazing all the Ebola hype I read all over the Internet that centers around unfounded fear that its going to be the next plague unleashed on America. These same people don't even bat an eye when the flu season returns every year and kills hundreds-thousands of Americans (depending on who's stats you want to believe)... what about Rhino Virus or even ulcers (not to mention heart disease and smoking related cancer).... Selective panic/paranoia is something we can all count on.

KenRagsdale
08-04-2014, 06:19 AM
It's my understandingthe infected missionary was taken to a "Level 2" hospital in Atlanta, rather than one of the nine "Level 4" quarantine units the federal government has on stand-by for such occasions. This is a concern.

What causes more concern to me is the rapid dispersal of illegal immigrants from the southern border. Some are officially dispersed, others dispersed via their own migration.

Very few (if any) are tested for communicable diseases (TB, Smallpox, diptheria, etc.) prior to disperal. With public schools beginning classes shortly (today), these diseases could spread rapidly and create locally pandemic situations.

I know of no quantine period applied to these people.

KenRagsdale
08-04-2014, 06:35 AM
It's my understandingthe infected missionary was taken to a "Level 2" hospital in Atlanta, rather than one of the nine "Level 4" quarantine units the federal government has on stand-by for such occasions. This is a concern.

What causes more concern to me is the rapid dispersal of illegal immigrants from the southern border. Some are officially dispersed, others dispersed via their own migration.

Very few (if any) are tested for communicable diseases (TB, Smallpox, diptheria, etc.) prior to disperal. With public schools beginning classes shortly (today), these diseases could spread rapidly and create locally pandemic situations.

I know of no quantine period applied to these people.

Leaked CBP Report Shows Entire World Exploiting Open US Border (http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/08/03/Leaked-CBP-Report-Shows-Entire-World-Exploiting-Open-US-Border)

kelroy55
08-04-2014, 07:35 AM
Leaked CBP Report Shows Entire World Exploiting Open US Border (http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/08/03/Leaked-CBP-Report-Shows-Entire-World-Exploiting-Open-US-Border)

and Breibart is a site I trust..... not

kelroy55
08-04-2014, 07:42 AM
It's my understandingthe infected missionary was taken to a "Level 2" hospital in Atlanta, rather than one of the nine "Level 4" quarantine units the federal government has on stand-by for such occasions. This is a concern.

What causes more concern to me is the rapid dispersal of illegal immigrants from the southern border. Some are officially dispersed, others dispersed via their own migration.

Very few (if any) are tested for communicable diseases (TB, Smallpox, diptheria, etc.) prior to disperal. With public schools beginning classes shortly (today), these diseases could spread rapidly and create locally pandemic situations.

I know of no quantine period applied to these people.

ATLANTA —

In a Pentagon briefing Friday morning, officials announced that the two American patients infected with Ebola will be coming to metro Atlanta. Officials say the victims, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, will pass through Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Cobb County. They did not announce an arrival time.

Emory University Hospital officials said they have been informed that there are plans to transfer patients with the Ebola virus infection to a special containment unit at their facility.

The hospital has a special isolation unit set up in collaboration with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to treat patients with serious infectious diseases.

"It is physically separate from other patient areas and has unique equipment and infrastructure that provide an extraordinarily high level of clinical isolation," a spokesman said in a release.

The hospital said doctors, nurses and staff are trained in procedures to handle this type of patient.

The hospital is only one of four such facilities in the country.

Chadanth
08-04-2014, 07:56 AM
Leaked CBP Report Shows Entire World Exploiting Open US Border (http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/08/03/Leaked-CBP-Report-Shows-Entire-World-Exploiting-Open-US-Border)

It doesn't actually break down where those people are apprehended, i.e., there's no indication that the Pakistanis are, for example, being picked up at the southern border, or the trend for that type of apprehension with any particular nationality.

FritterGirl
08-04-2014, 02:43 PM
I think the US rushing Dr. Brantly home for treatment is due to the fact that he's one of the few medical doctors in the world with firsthand experience of fighting this virus. I think public outcry is misguided due to preconceived notions of what this virus can and cannot do. If I remember correctly, a single influenza season has killed more people than the Ebola virus had in its entire known existence.

It just seems scarier since we don't know it as well and is of an exotic origin. I would be more worried about another Spanish flu pandemic than an Ebola outbreak.

It likely sounds harsh, but really, what better opportunity to study this disease in the optimal conditions possible (not a remote field hospital) where the disease itself is hosted in one of the top experts of said disease? This may give physicians and infectious disease specialists the opportunity to look at treatment options in a way they cannot in a laboratory setting.

PennyQuilts
08-04-2014, 05:51 PM
I'm starting to wonder if bringing them back had something to do with testing the experimental serum in more controlled conditions.

Reading about the possible ebola outbreak in NYC (at this point, they are saying it is unlikely that the latest patient has ebola and they are being cautious) freaks me out. I have already annoyed my kids by telling them that if ebola breaks out in NYC, they are to come straight home. I started to suggest they not bother if they've been exposed (you can thank me for the thought) but as a mother, I left that off since I felt it my duty to nag them and put their welfare above public safety. :)

Mel
08-04-2014, 05:58 PM
Sort of on topic. TB is on the rise. We watched the Grandkids today while my DIL, an RN, spent the day in a orientation and received a TB vaccine at the end. It's getting scary out there.

David
08-04-2014, 06:08 PM
I'm starting to wonder if bringing them back had something to do with testing the experimental serum in more controlled conditions.

Yeah, in hindsight I think it's pretty likely that's what was really going on.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

silvergrove
08-04-2014, 06:53 PM
I'm starting to wonder if bringing them back had something to do with testing the experimental serum in more controlled conditions.

Reading about the possible ebola outbreak in NYC (at this point, they are saying it is unlikely that the latest patient has ebola and they are being cautious) freaks me out. I have already annoyed my kids by telling them that if ebola breaks out in NYC, they are to come straight home. I started to suggest they not bother if they've been exposed (you can thank me for the thought) but as a mother, I left that off since I felt it my duty to nag them and put their welfare above public safety. :)

I believe the experimental serum is working well. Apparently the doctor was near death and told his caregivers he felt that he was dying. That accelerated the plan to go ahead and give him the thawed experimental serum (with his consent) and after an hour, his condition dramatically improved. This was how he was able to walk on his own two feet when he arrived in the US.

The experimental serum consists of three "humanized" monoclonal antibodies as noted here: Local Biotech Increasing Production of 'ZMapp' Ebola Drug | Times of San Diego (http://timesofsandiego.com/business/2014/08/04/local-biotech-increasing-production-zmapp-ebola-drug/)

This combination seems very promising, as the monoclonal antibodies appear to block the virus post-infection. Another cool technique they're using is that these antibodies are produced in transgenic tobacco plants (http://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/04/3365612/drug-given-to-american-ebola-victims.html?sp=/99/322/&ihp=1). The resulting antibodies are then extracted and purified from the plants. Although it's not approved for human use yet, the patients gave consent and the FDA gave the go-ahead for the experimental serum after promising results from primate studies earlier this year.

Usually monoclonals are produced from hybridomas which are chimeras of the antibody producing cell (B cell) and a myeloma (B cell cancer). The chimera cell have properties of both cells - it can produced the valuable monoclonal antibody with the "immortality" of the cancer cell. These hybridomas are usually grown in tissue culture where afterwards the monoclonal antibodies are extracted and purified. I'm not familiar with the transgenic tobacco plants but still very interesting nonetheless.

PennyQuilts
08-04-2014, 07:02 PM
I wonder how long it takes to cook up a dose and if they have many already available.

Plutonic Panda
08-05-2014, 10:37 PM
Global Pandemic Map - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/global-pandemic-map-2014-8?utm_content=bufferddc6d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer)

Bullbear
08-06-2014, 09:07 AM
I'm starting to wonder if bringing them back had something to do with testing the experimental serum in more controlled conditions.

:)

Ding Ding Ding.. Winner winner chicken dinner!.. Lab rats!

BBatesokc
08-06-2014, 10:05 AM
Ding Ding Ding.. Winner winner chicken dinner!.. Lab rats!

If I'm infected with something with a mortality rate up to 90% - you are free to experiment with any serum you believe may help me!

Bullbear
08-06-2014, 10:59 AM
If I'm infected with something with a mortality rate up to 90% - you are free to experiment with any serum you believe may help me!

Oh I totally agree 100%.. im not above being a lab rat. if it helps me and others I am completely fine with it.. but it doesn't change the fact that I am a lab rat.

silvergrove
08-06-2014, 11:01 AM
If I'm infected with something with a mortality rate up to 90% - you are free to experiment with any serum you believe may help me!

Experimental procedures are tightly regulated in this country, which is necessary for scientific ethics and also to assuage public paranoia for science gone wild.

Recently, my PI wanted to do blood studies in the laboratory so he wanted to draw his own blood for a study. The institutional review board (IRB) informed him that he had to get a consent form. So he filled a consent form to where he, the donor, provides consent and understand the risks and use of said donated tissue to the investigator (him as well), for research.

Just a funny little anecdote.

G.Walker
08-06-2014, 12:00 PM
Yes, Ebola is bad, but technically it only has a 55% mortality rate, and that's with most cases in rural Africa, and not receiving proper medical treatment. If an outbreak were to occur in the US, the mortality rate would drop significantly, I would say in the 30-40% range, so I am not worried.

Plutonic Panda
10-01-2014, 04:21 PM
Oklahoma Health Officials Taking Precautions To Prevent Spread O - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/26681639/oklahoma-health-officials-taking-precautions-to-prevent-spread-of-ebola)

Plutonic Panda
10-01-2014, 04:22 PM
Ebola Confirmed In Texas Patient; First Case Diagnosed In US - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/26669381/ebola-confirmed-in-texas-patient-first-case-diagnosed-in-us)

PennyQuilts
10-01-2014, 06:44 PM
Yes, Ebola is bad, but technically it only has a 55% mortality rate, and that's with most cases in rural Africa, and not receiving proper medical treatment. If an outbreak were to occur in the US, the mortality rate would drop significantly, I would say in the 30-40% range, so I am not worried.
You're joking?

zookeeper
10-01-2014, 06:55 PM
A humanitarian crisis of epic proportions in West Africa. But in the U.S.? Our high-quality medical services can keep survival rates around 20%. But that doesn't mean it's not something to be worried about. Unless, of course, we only worry about ourselves and live in the high mountains with absolutely no way to have "contact" with the virus. The people in many parts of Africa have little to no health services. It's a humanitarian calamity.
Here is a must-read from the excellent VOX news site that is trying to bring new life to "hard news" presented in new ways. Admirable to attempt such a thing.


(http://www.vox.com/2014/10/1/6880393/ebola-virus-outbreak-disease-myths-facts-debunked-america)

OKCisOK4me
10-02-2014, 11:48 AM
I'm single, I work in an environment where I don't exchange bodily fluids with anyone so good luck to the rest of y'all scardy cats!

PennyQuilts
10-02-2014, 12:58 PM
Twenty percent mortality rate. Woo hoo! Who wants to volunteer? The odds are heavy in your favor.

PennyQuilts
10-02-2014, 12:59 PM
A humanitarian crisis of epic proportions in West Africa. But in the U.S.? Our high-quality medical services can keep survival rates around 20%. But that doesn't mean it's not something to be worried about. Unless, of course, we only worry about ourselves and live in the high mountains with absolutely no way to have "contact" with the virus. The people in many parts of Africa have little to no health services. It's a humanitarian calamity.
Here is a must-read from the excellent VOX news site that is trying to bring new life to "hard news" presented in new ways. Admirable to attempt such a thing. (http://www.vox.com/2014/10/1/6880393/ebola-virus-outbreak-disease-myths-facts-debunked-america)
I think you meant 20% mortality rate?

gopokes88
10-02-2014, 01:41 PM
A humanitarian crisis of epic proportions in West Africa. But in the U.S.? Our high-quality medical services can keep survival rates around 20%. But that doesn't mean it's not something to be worried about. Unless, of course, we only worry about ourselves and live in the high mountains with absolutely no way to have "contact" with the virus. The people in many parts of Africa have little to no health services. It's a humanitarian calamity.
Here is a must-read from the excellent VOX news site that is trying to bring new life to "hard news" presented in new ways. Admirable to attempt such a thing.


(http://www.vox.com/2014/10/1/6880393/ebola-virus-outbreak-disease-myths-facts-debunked-america)

I agree with everything except for about Vox which is just another HuffPo before HuffPo turned into TMZ.

zookeeper
10-02-2014, 01:48 PM
I think you meant 20% mortality rate?

Went right by me. That seems to happen more and more. Yes, of course, I meant mortality rates. Thanks, Penny.

I agree 20% is worrisome in any situation. .5% is worrisome - especially when you end up IN that .5%. I had a parent die of cancer that is so rare it accounts for less than all 1% of all kinds of cancers among that type of cancer. I agree, odds mean nothing when they strike you or a loved one.

Plutonic Panda
10-02-2014, 02:04 PM
I'm single, I work in an environment where I don't exchange bodily fluids with anyone so good luck to the rest of y'all scardy cats!What if someone tries to haggle with you and spits on their hand says "we'll call it twenty".