Ebola, a thread for questions and answers.

[Stratter5]

Thought it might help if we had one thread running purely for Q&As; somewhere where the concerned, or curious, can ask and get a sensible answer. Keep it all together, so it's easier to see if someone's already addressed your Q.

I'll get the ball rolling with a Q about testing. The incubation period is up to 21 days; testing can only be done once symptomatic, and the viral load high enough. Are those who have been tested, and got a negative result, retested until the 21 days is up?

I have a question which I have not found an answer to... Given the current spread of the virus in the three worst affected countries, eg it has reached the capitals, what is the current best case scenario? I'm not interested in scare-mongering, just curious as to what would now count as "success" given the slow response/errors to date.

My guess (and I stress it is a guess) is that the immediate aim to to slow the spread. All the latest reports have said that it is spreading exponentially (doubling every fortnight) which is very worrying.

That means isolating suspected cases rapidly and better decontamination. So more trained staff (and staff trainers) more biohazard suits, more isolation clinics, more chlorine bleach/incineration facilities, cremation facilities (for cities) and sealable body bags for remote areas (for transporting corpses just adds risk); plus continuing and improving health education of the population.

Promises of rebuilding and aid to replace items which have to be destroyed would help too. Much of the country is grindingly poor, and destroying the few household goods that people have is hardly going to win co-operation - but 'we have to take these things, but here's a clean pack of bedding, clothes and basic household goods' might help.

If the conflagrations ebbs, then it's a case of stamping on the embers (to nick OYBBK's metaphor). But that is not going to happen quickly.

In parallel, treatments need to be worked on (very little on offer at the moment, zmapp supplies have run out) and the vaccine trials supported. But it is important that even with acute impetus to get the currently trialled vaccine rolled out that its safety and effectiveness is tested thoroughly.

I think we are allowed to be irrational, stratters. I'm terrified of other things :) (like haemorrhagic viruses and laissez-faire governments, like Spain...)

I did read somewhere that the "best case scenario" is that the international community finally pull together (not just the countries so far) and work together next year to contain it. But it could take months or years. Not great, really. Meanwhile, it would spread and depending on those countries healthcare systems, would be contained or not. They also feel a vaccine in the worst hit countries is the only way to fully control it. Really hope the current trials are successful.

How I wish more action had been taken back in march :(

The danger with Ebola is that it may mutate because obviously a host that is killed so swiftly by it is not ideal and if this happens, the danger will be vastly amplified because the potential for infecting others will be greatly increased.

Here is an interesting interview with Peter Piot who discovered and named the disease.

Legislation trumps religious and cultural burial preferences. Ultimately you cannot insist upon any one method.

I watched Horizon about the development of Z Mapp....it seems to have saved three lives.... The next batch of treatment will hopefully be ready by December....

Enough to treat around 80 people....