[gjenkins]

In the Hot Zone, there were 3 strains discussed which were 30%, 50%, and 90% fatal. The end of the book left the impression that it seemed transmittable by air ... although they previously thought not.

In addition, one of ther alarming stories out right now is that a Russian scientist who specialized in aeresolizing this stuff is missing. Just like anthrax, aeresolized versions would change the rules a bit.

[RCW2001]

Found this little ditty on a google search:

	EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER Caused by the Ebola Virus, which has origins in the jungles of Africa. Initial infection occurs through contact with an infected animal. The virus is highly contagious, and is then transmitted though direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or semen of an infected person, handling of the dead or infected, and contaminated needles. Symptoms Symptoms differ from patient to patient. Within a few days of infection, symptoms include: high fever, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea, sore throat, hiccups, rash, red and itchy eyes, vomiting blood, bloody diarrhea. Within a week of infection, symptoms are: chest pain, shock, blindness, bleeding, and death. Treatment There is no standard treatment. Patients receive supportive therapy, consisting of balancing the patient's fluids and electrolytes, maintaining their oxygen status and blood pressure, and treatment of any complicating infections. HISTORY AND POTENTIAL AS A BIOWEAPON Within the last few years, naturally occurring outbreaks of ebola throughout parts of Africa have drawn international attention to this contagious and often lethal illness. Easily aerosolized ebola could potentially be weaponized though there is no evidence that any country or group has done so. It was believed Aum Shinrikyo tried and failed to develop an ebola bio-weapon in the 1990's. The Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov) Journal of the American Medical Association Canadian Bacterial Disease Network

[riri]

The Russian scientist is dead, not missing. Ofcourse what may have happened to him before he died is unknown.

Dr. Vladimir Pasechnik was responsible for viability of plague as aerosolized bioweapon. He came up with polymer coating. He also worked on binary weapons, such as substance A232 and substance 233 Novichok.

On November 23, 2001, the New York Times reported the death, two days earlier, of Vladimir Pasechnik, former director of the Institute of Ultra Pure Biochemical Preparations, a component of the Soviet biowarfare establishment, Biopreparat. Pasechnik had defected to Britain in 1989. In England Pasechnik was employed by Porton Down until he joined in the creation of a private company several years ago. With the exception of the Times obituary Pasechnik's death went unreported for almost a week. Interestingly, the Times was apparently informed of Pasechnik's death by the U.K. Ministry of Defense representative on the team which had debriefed Pasechnik after his defection.

If these guys have any form of aerosolized Ebola, me thinks they won´t be needing a phase 3...