I'LL ADD A FEW NOTES TO SOME OF THE ANSWERS
Julius Stiebert wrote in message <7fd4hg$mb$1 at fu-berlin.de>...
>Dear Ronchas,
>>I will try to answer your questions...
>Please, can you send me your report if you done it? Thanks in advance
>Okay:
>>> Q: Is Ebola definitely a new disease, or is it a disease that has mutated
>in
>> to it's current form?
>A: Nobody really knows that. Some scientists think, that it ever was in its
>current form, but that it is not dangerous for the host. Some other
>speculate about that very interesting thesis: They think, that Ebola was a
>plant virus, and was infecting people, when they eat a contagious plant.
>>> Q: Does Ebola have the potential to become airborne?
>A: Some say 'yes' and some say 'no'. I think yes, because the scientists at
>USAMRIID wasn't sure, if Ebola Reston was transfered to the other monkey
>rooms via air. They work in the BSL4 lab with this virus. The CDC and some
>organizations here in Germany work in BSL2 with it, because they don't
>believe in this danger.
>>> Q: Why does Ebola Reston only kill animals and not humans?
>A: I don't know why.
IF I REMEMBER RIGHT RESTON IS THE STRAIN THAT ONLY SEEMS TO INFECT MONKEY'S
AND NOT HUMANS. THIS WOULD PROBABLY A RECEPTOR PROBLEM. MOST VIRUSES USE USE
RECEPTORS ON CELLS FOR INFECTION. THIS STRAIN MAY USE A RECEPTOR THAT IS
ONLY FOUND ON MONKEY CELLS AND NOT HUMAN CELLS.
>>> Q: Why can't our immune system fight off the disease?
>A: Did you never learn something about the immun system? It is similar to
>other viruses.
AGAIN FROM MEMORY ITS TIMING. THE DISEASE ONSET IS FAST AND OVERWLEMING TO
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THE IMMUNE RESPONCE JUST CAN'T MOUNT A STRONG ENOUGH
RESPONCE FAST ENOUGH
>>> Q: Is it true that Ebola could have been responsible for the Great Plaque
>in
>> 425 B.C.?
>A: I never heard about this. But I think (and I believe in) that Ebola
kills
>people a long time ago 1976.
>>> Q: What are the chances of Ebola reaching the USA?
>A: That isn't a great problem. You have to fly to Africa, infect with Ebola
>and fly back in the USA. It is the same like with the monkeys in Reston.
>But: If you have symptoms for hemorrhagic fever the airport staff will
>inform the CDC or some similar organization.
>>> Q: Is it true that some people in Africa have antibodies to help fight
off
>> the Ebola virus?
>A: I heard of that. But I don't know if it is really true. But why not? It
>is the same by Lassa fever.
ANTIBODIES FROM SURVIVORS OF THE INFECTION ARE CREATED. DON'T KNOW AS TO
THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST RE-INFECTION
>>> Q: Could it be possible that Ebola once was a harmless virus that mutated
>> into this very harmful virus?
>A: Yes, but I wrote that already at the first question.
>>> Q: What is most likely the host or cause of Ebola?
>A: Nobody knows the host. Otherwise it wouldn't be so difficult to get a
>serum. But the most scientists think that monkeys are the host. If Ebola
>really was a plant virus (see the first question) they have to find that
>plant.
RESCENT RESEARCH POINT AT A BATS, FRUIT BATS I BELIEVE TO BE THE NATURAL
HOST.>
>See ya next time
>Julius
>>>
