Could YOU be immune to Ebola? Scientists claim some are naturally protected from the virus

Daily Mail ^ | 10/16/2014 | Lizzie Parry

[SeekAndFind]

• Experts in the US say a study into a past Ebola outbreak found 71% of people who had close contact with a victim and tested positive never fell ill
• Another showed 46% who came into close contact and did not get sick had evidence of infection with the Ebola virus
• Team at universities of Texas and Florida believe the virus is silently immunising a significant portion of the West African population
• If they can be identified it could be vital in helping stop the spread of disease
• They could be recruited as health workers to care for the sick
• Natural immunity could mean they can offer blood transfusions as treatment
• Dr Steve Bellan said: 'We might not have to wait until we have a vaccine to use immune individuals to reduce spread of the disease'
• The current outbreak has killed 4,493 people, infecting 8,997, the WHO said

Large swathes of the West African population may be immune to the deadly Ebola virus, ravaging the region.

The current outbreak, the worst on record since the virus was discovered in 1976, has claimed the lives of 4,493 people, infecting 8,997, the World Health Organisation said yesterday.

But a team of scientists in the US believe the Ebola virus may be silently immunising a significant portion of the population, who never fall ill or infect others, protecting them from future infection.

These people will never show the tell-take signs of the disease, the high fever, headaches and flu-like symptoms.

[exDemMom]

I think this is an outright attempt to gain research funds.

All scientists want more research funds. Publishing is the best way to self-advertise (and is, in fact, expected). Most scientists are funded largely through the federal government.

If the scientists who wrote the Lancet letter have been having difficulty getting grant proposals funded, then a short publication such as this is a great way for them to increase their chances of getting their funding.

[exDemMom]

Since dogs are asymptomatic, they *might* catch a low-level disease, but they most likely are NOT contagious. Anyway, I’m glad this dog was put into quarantine, and not killed like the dog in Spain was.

[exDemMom]

However, (2) dogs do not develop Ebola symptoms (i.e., asymptomatic), none of the dogs tested showed presence of viral DNA (via PCR testing), and more importantly, nor viral particles can be isolated in the test serum.

Correction: Ebola is an RNA virus, not a DNA virus. Since it is not a retrovirus, it never uses DNA.

[rdl6989]

Could I be immune to Ebola? I’m not going to test the waters to find out.

[rolling_stone]

No one virus can wipe out mankind due to genetic variation.

I don’t know the virus in the WH is pretty good at destroying the USA

[GOPJ]

I don’t know why, but the timing of this conveniently miraculous story smells funny to me.

I had the same reaction... I can't put my finger on it... but something's strange here.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!