BREAKING - Ebola outbreak feared in Congo In the north of Congo-Brazzaville, 16 people have died

Promed ALERT ^ | 02-05-03 | Pascale Harter

[per loin]

This seems to be taking down both humans and gorillas.

[Lunatic Fringe]

[Semper Paratus]

In the past couple of decades the outbreaks have been in very remote areas but God help us if it ever gets to a major city.

[Neuromancer]

What is the probability of a dangerous strain of Ebola mutating and becoming airborne?

Ebola is made of RNA. RNA viruses are known to undergo rapid genetic changes. The three most common mechanisms are:

1. Nucleotide substitutions resulting from purportedly high error rates during RNA synthesis;

2. Reassortment of the RNA segments of multipartite genomic viruses

3. RNA-RNA recombination between non-segmented RNAs
 
The Ebola virus can use only the first and the third mechanisms as it has only one segment of RNA by capsid. To become "airborne", the Ebola genome (RNA) would, at least, have to mutate in such a way that its outer protective  coating of proteins (capsid) could resist the forces to which they are subjected in air (e.g., dryness).


It also would probably need to change structure to allow infection through the respiratory system.

There are no exact measures of the rate of mutation in Ebola, but the probability of the required mutation(s) happening is not great.

[Neuromancer]

Amen....

[Snowy]

Then, read this one. Excellent book, but you probably won't sleep for a night or two. :-/

[chance33_98]

"Leave the monkeys alone? What do you mean by that?"

They're likely to be getting Ebola from slaughtering and eating the monkeys.

The question is - what did he think you meant and why did he associate it that way ;) Hmmmm

[Consort]

[Gamecock]

I plan on it just after I finish reading this..

[Ditter]

Yeah! Your mother taught you not to eat monkeys. lol

[blam]

"This current strain is being contracted by humans eating chimp meat. Both are being killed by the same strain. Is that unusual?"

I'm not positive but, I believe that it is.

[myrabach]

Does this mean no more McMonkey?

[diamond6]

This is one hell of a scary virus. I read the Hot Zone and it freaked me out for days!

[RecentConvert]

Send them $15 billion? (Leave the monkeys alone!)

---

You mean an additional $15 billions. The first 15 will be used to "combat" AIDS. An additional $15 billion are needed to combat the various lethal infectious deseases in the continent.

Everybody ready for the African safari?

[RecentConvert]

That's scary stuff.

I hope it doesn't spread.

[blam]

"You mean an additional $15 billions."

Yes.

[Gamecock]

From The Congo Cookbook

(BTW: It tastes like chicken)

Monkey bushmeat is commonly consumed in tropical Africa. Monkey meat is prepared fresh in rural areas. It is also smoked to preserve it and allow it to be sent to market in the cities. A common sight along rural roads is smoked whole monkeys for sale, tales tied to heads to make carrying handles. Fresh monkey meat is often cooked in a Tomato Sauce made from tomatoes, chile peppers, and onions. Smoked monkey meat can be prepared in a Tomato-Peanut sauce: Soak the smoked meat in water, then rinse and drain it. Fry tomatoes, onions, chile pepper, in hot palm oil. Add tomato paste and the monkey meat. Simmer until all is tender. Season with salt and pepper.