Ermias D. Belay, MD, Associate Director for Epidemiologic Science, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), discusses the threat of the deadly Ebola virus, which has plagued Africa in recent months.
According to Dr. Belay, the key to surviving Ebola is proper medical care, including aggressive, supportive treatment, and infection control. An elusive disease, the Ebola virus kills 40-90 percent of its victims, while survivors recover in a matter of weeks, seemingly unscathed.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been developing a promising vaccine for Ebola, and is currently working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fast-track the vaccine and bring it to clinical trials.
Resources & References
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/case-definition.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/monitoring-and-movement-of-persons-with-exposure.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/patient-management-us-hospitals.html
http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/air/managing-sick-travelers/ebola-guidance-airlines.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/infection-prevention-and-control-recommendations.html
http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00364.asp
http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00363.asp
