- There are fears that birds could spread the deadly Ebola
virus.
-
- The shell of the human pathogen is similar to viruses
that attack birds, suggesting it could have jumped from birds to humans.
-
- "It is possible that there is a bird host, possibly
a migratory bird, and that is consistent with the epidemiology of the disease."
-- David Sanders
-
- If this is the case, Ebola could be being carried long
distances on the wing, with obvious health implications.
-
- The theory has not been proven, but researchers say it
should be borne in mind by health agencies.
-
- The warning comes from US researchers who have studied
the biochemical structure of Ebola.
-
- David Sanders of Purdue University in West Lafayette,
Indiana, said biochemical analysis revealed the protein shell of Ebola
was close to that of certain bird retroviruses.
-
- A genetic similarity between Ebola and several bird viruses
has already been noted.
-
- Taken together, it suggests Ebola was once a bird virus
and could now be being spread by birds.
-
- "We knew these viruses were inwardly similar, and
now we see their outer similarity as well," he said.
-
- "While bird transmission of Ebola is by no means
certain, the resemblance among all these viruses should encourage health
officials to be on guard for it."
-
- Migratory birds
-
- Ebola, which was discovered in 1976, is known to infect
humans and monkeys.
-
- It has lead to hundreds of deaths in central Africa,
and it is fatal in 50 to 90% of cases.
-
- Traces of the virus have also been discovered in small
mammals, suggesting they may help spread the disease although they cannot
catch it.
-
- Health officials are keen to find out how Ebola gets
to people, to help in the fight against the deadly disease.
-
- "It is possible that there is a bird host, possibly
a migratory bird, and that is consistent with the epidemiology of the disease,"
Professor Sanders told BBC News Online.
-
- "We haven't found any birds infected by the Ebola
virus yet," he added. "But birds haven't been examined."
-
- Gene therapy
-
- The Purdue research is reported in the Journal of Virology.
-
- The scientists reveal in the same journal that they have
been able to redesign the shell of the virus to transform it from killer
to healer.
-
- They say the modified virus could be used as a vehicle
for gene therapy.
-
- It has been developed into a form that could be inhaled
rather than injected, which may one day be helpful in treating lung diseases
such as cystic fibrosis.
-
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2584335.stm
-
-
- Comment
- Sandra Belanger
- 12-18-2
-
- The real kicker in this article is in the last couple
of sentences. It makes me feel REAL secure that Purdue University scientists
have 'created' an airborne form of the Ebola virus that is 'non-lethal'
to use to 'treat illnesses.'
-
- What THAT says, is that they also have an airborne form
that IS lethal. No real surprise, not to mention that this stuff could
get out into the environment and shapeshift. Why doesn't mankind ever
learn from its mistakes? That is really my biggest complaint with this
species.
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