American doctor in Liberia tests positive for Ebola virus

[jjenny]

First, I wish survival & a return to health for the American patients.

My hubby grew up in Druid Hills where neighbors were professionals at Emory Hospital, the University & CDC. Much of the research & work ties all 3 institutions together. Historically, there has been a lot of "very scary stuff going on around there." We don't even want to know what's cooking (or chilling) in the CDC labs. Planning & operation of the containment treatment area is probably one of the best researched in modern medical knowledge. I choose to believe that the public is safe.

There have been a number of cases with researchers getting infected (and even dying from it) and viruses turning up in labs they are not supposed to be in. I don't have any confidence in the public being safe.

 

[Foxfire]

First, I wish survival & a return to health for the American patients.

My hubby grew up in Druid Hills where neighbors were professionals at Emory Hospital, the University & CDC. Much of the research & work ties all 3 institutions together. Historically, there has been a lot of "very scary stuff going on around there." We don't even want to know what's cooking (or chilling) in the CDC labs. Planning & operation of the containment treatment area is probably one of the best researched in modern medical knowledge. There are surely many safeguards for human error. I choose to believe that the public is safe.

noZme, I honor and respect your opinion, and yes Emery and the CDC has made tremendous contributions in many areas of medicine. Grady Hospital; the charity hospital in Atlanta Grady provides the vast quantity of excellent care it does because of the hospital's longstanding relationships with Emory University School of Medicine. The ambulance used to transport Dr Brantly, to Emery from Dobbins AFB was a Grady Ambulance which serves the general public.

With that said, due to human error, lapses of poor judgement by a very political organization, in combination with murphy's law. Imo, the decision to import the ebola infected patients into a densely populated area such as Atlanta with over 6,000,000 residents, and an international transportation hub was ludicrous at best..

"What were they thinking"?...

 

[Foxfire]

There have been a number of cases with researchers getting infected (and even dying from it) and viruses turning up in labs they are not supposed to be in. I don't have any confidence in the public being safe.

<BBM>

Jul 11, 2014 - The CDC influenza laboratory is now closed and will not reopen ... that led to contamination of another avian influenza virus by the H5N1 virus.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0711-lab-safety.html

CDC Director Releases After-Action Report on Recent Anthrax Incident; Highlights Steps to Improve Laboratory Quality and Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report Adobe PDF file today that reviews the early June incident that involved the unintentional exposure of personnel to potentially viable anthrax at the CDC&#8217;s Roybal Campus. The report identifies factors found to have contributed to the incident; and highlights actions taken by the agency to address these factors and prevent future incidents. Based on a review of all aspects of the June incident, CDC concluded that while it is not impossible that staff members were exposed to viable B. anthracis, it is extremely unlikely that this occurred. None of the staff who was potentially exposed has become ill with anthrax.
While finalizing this report, CDC leadership was made aware that earlier this year a culture of non-pathogenic avian influenza was unintentionally cross-contaminated at the CDC influenza laboratory with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of influenza and shipped to a BSL-3 select-agent laboratory operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). There were no exposures as a result of that incident. The CDC influenza laboratory is now closed and will not reopen until adequate procedures are put in place. Further investigation, review, and action is underway.
As a result of these two incidents, CDC is issuing, effective immediately, a moratorium on the movement (i.e., transfer inside or outside the agency) of biological materials (i.e., infectious agents, active or inactivated specimens) from BSL3 or BSL-4 facilities. The moratorium will remain in place pending review by an advisory committee.

<sniped - Read More>

 

[nightwatch]

First, I wish survival & a return to health for the American patients.

My hubby grew up in Druid Hills where neighbors were professionals at Emory Hospital, the University & CDC. Much of the research & work ties all 3 institutions together. Historically, there has been a lot of "very scary stuff going on around there." We don't even want to know what's cooking (or chilling) in the CDC labs. Planning & operation of the containment treatment area is probably one of the best researched in modern medical knowledge. There are surely many safeguards for human error. I choose to believe that the public is safe.

317mil+ citizens in this country to two. IMO CDC is to protect the masses not bring this type of danger to them. I am hopeful you are correct because if this virus gets out it will be devastating to our economy. Just recently CDC was on the hot seat for having anthrax laying around in plastic zip bags. Tip of the iceberg Imo.

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs...-2014-317-million-and-71-billion-in-the-world

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/12/science/cdc-closes-anthrax-and-flu-labs-after-accidents.html


ciao

 

[jjenny]

<BBM>

Jul 11, 2014 - The CDC influenza laboratory is now closed and will not reopen ... that led to contamination of another avian influenza virus by the H5N1 virus.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0711-lab-safety.html

.

<sniped - Read More>

No human died but chickens all died from exposure to the H5N1 virus. So I guess they got lucky this time. Might not be so lucky the next time.

"Researchers at a high-security CDC influenza lab learned of their mistake in May. The contaminated bird flu samples had been sent to poultry researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who noticed their chickens all died."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/21/usa-anthrax-birdflu-cdc-idUSL2N0PW1EO20140721

 

[atthelake]

317mil+ citizens in this country to two. IMO CDC is to protect the masses not bring this type of danger to them. I am hopeful you are correct because if this virus gets out it will be devastating to our economy. Just recently CDC was on the hot seat for having anthrax laying around in plastic zip bags. Tip of the iceberg Imo.

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs...-2014-317-million-and-71-billion-in-the-world

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/12/science/cdc-closes-anthrax-and-flu-labs-after-accidents.html


ciao

Yes the mission of the CDC is to " protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same" http://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/mission.htm and they are apparently very involved in this situation which resulted from many individuals and organizations coming together to bring this doctor back to US soil.

Hopefully this situation will help to glean the newest information/update/answer questions on the virus and disease and help glean information as to the latest mode of this strain as to human to human transmission. (e.g. to answer has it had an antigenic shift or drift which could cause it to now allow airborne transmission from human to human like the flu which some folks are theorizing). Whether the pharmas will invest in a disease that is only in the third world and profits for research & development for a vaccine or treatments will follow is unknown.

As with AIDS prior to 1983, perhaps the disease hasn't come front and center to the public arena for monies until recently, as it was isolated in the third world and "wasn't in our backyard" mentality :moo:

 

[nightwatch]

Yes the mission of the CDC is to " protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same" http://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/mission.htm and they are apparently very involved in this situation which resulted from many individuals and organizations coming together to bring this doctor back to US soil.

Hopefully this situation will help to glean the newest information/update/answer questions on the virus and disease and help glean information as to the latest mode of this strain as to human to human transmission. (e.g. to answer has it had an antigenic shift or drift which could cause it to now allow airborne transmission from human to human like the flu which some folks are theorizing). Whether the pharmas will invest in a disease that is only in the third world and profits for research & development for a vaccine or treatments will follow is unknown.

As with AIDS prior to 1983, perhaps the disease hasn't come front and center to the public arena for monies until recently, as it was isolated in the third world and "wasn't in our backyard" mentality :moo:

I hear and understand what you are saying, in my mind to bring this from third world on purpose to my world is unsettling. I also realize my posts are from an emotional point of view. We are all in the let's see what happens next boat. Jmo


ciao

 

[SophieRose]

From a 2012 article:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hunt-for-ebola-81684905/?page=3

None of the virus hunters had any expectation that a vaccine against Ebola was imminent. The drug development process takes an average of 15 years and costs billions of dollars. Pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to expend those resources to combat a virus that has killed about 1,080 people in 30 years or so. So far, nearly all Ebola vaccine research has been funded by the U.S. government to combat potential bioterrorist attacks. The Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Fort Detrick, Maryland, recently tested an experimental vaccine made from virus-like particles on guinea pigs and monkeys, and reported promising results. Several biodefense contractors have initiated small-scale safety trials with human volunteers, who are not exposed to the Ebola virus. But most virologists say that an effective vaccine is many years away.

 

[atthelake]

From a 2012 article:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hunt-for-ebola-81684905/?page=3

None of the virus hunters had any expectation that a vaccine against Ebola was imminent. The drug development process takes an average of 15 years and costs billions of dollars. Pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to expend those resources to combat a virus that has killed about 1,080 people in 30 years or so. So far, nearly all Ebola vaccine research has been funded by the U.S. government to combat potential bioterrorist attacks. The Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Fort Detrick, Maryland, recently tested an experimental vaccine made from virus-like particles on guinea pigs and monkeys, and reported promising results. Several biodefense contractors have initiated small-scale safety trials with human volunteers, who are not exposed to the Ebola virus. But most virologists say that an effective vaccine is many years away.

I read upthread and msm that he received "blood" from a 14 year old boy to get antibodies. (although in msm, would like more information on that one for sure!) Anywhooooo, if he did, that is a very old school way and was amazed that they still did such. He was VERY lucky if he did receive such as that would mean they have compatible types to have that happen if whole blood or plasma (without going into A+/A-/B+/B- etc discussions) :moo:

Thanks for the :goodpost: Shows how it may actually be worse in the US for treatment, and in US, :moo: that action of receiving that quickly the 14 year olds blood/serum would have taken years/act of congress (tongue in cheek statement..you get my drift)

 

[Irisha]

Does anyone else feel like a huge mistake has been made?
Why was it so important that he come here to Emory?

IMO they knew the virus got out before he showed up and now they can blame it on him.
Oops?

All posts are MOO

IMO this DR. should have refused to come to the US. IMO he crossed the medical ethic boundries. I do not trust the gov. or CDC when it comes to such dangerous decisions that could affect our country. Even if it was my family member, I would wish them to get well, but don't come back with something that could hurt so many. And his wife, who is not quanantined?, went to a wedding?

 

[atthelake]

IMO this DR. should have refused to come to the US. IMO he crossed the medical ethic boundries. I do not trust the gov. or CDC when it comes to such dangerous decisions that could affect our country. Even if it was my family member, I would wish them to get well, but don't come back with something that could hurt so many. And his wife, who is not quanantined?, went to a wedding?

If it was my family member, I would wish them to get well, and to come back with something that could HELP so many. If there are things learned from his virus strain that is new and unexpected as many are theorizing, we'll get into later about pharma and WHO/CDC fighting over stuff. I'll leave that discussion to later.

We all have our backgrounds and experience to contribute, and I respect yours as differing. :seeya:

 

[Elley Mae]

“However, Dr. Brantly received a unit of blood from a 14-year-old boy who had survived Ebola because of Dr. Brantly’s care. The young boy and his family wanted to be able to help the doctor that saved his life.”

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/arti...liberia-west-africa-tests-positive-for-ebola/

...............................



Dr. Brantly, a family practice physician, was serving in Liberia through the post-residency program before joining the medical team responding to the Ebola crisis. His wife and two children had been living with him in Liberia but flew home to the U.S. about a week ago, before he started showing any signs of illness.

Last week, Dr. Brantly recognized that he had symptoms associated with Ebola, and immediately isolated himself.

http://crossmap.christianpost.com/n...al-serum-to-stricken-colleague-nancy-wr-11557

Writebol works with SIM, which manages ELWA Hospital. The two organizations have been working closely to combat Ebola since the current outbreak began in Liberia in March. She had been working as a hygienist who decontaminated those entering and leaving the isolation ward of the Case Management Center at the hospital. She is married with two children.

..............................

As you may have also heard, two American healthcare workers at a hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, have been infected with Ebola virus. One of the healthcare worke
rs, a physician who worked with Ebola patients in the hospital, is symptomatic and in isolation. The other health care worker developed fever but no other signs of illness. The physician’s family had been living with him in Liberia. Thankfully, the family members had returned to the United States before the doctor got sick and therefore are not at risk for contracting Ebola or spreading it to anyone here. Out of an abundance of caution, the family is currently on a 21 day fever watch. I want to emphasize that Ebola isn't contagious until symptoms appear.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/t0728-ebola.html

 

[jjenny]

I read upthread and msm that he received "blood" from a 14 year old boy to get antibodies. (although in msm, would like more information on that one for sure!) Anywhooooo, if he did, that is a very old school way and was amazed that they still did such. He was VERY lucky if he did receive such as that would mean they have compatible types to have that happen if whole blood or plasma (without going into A+/A-/B+/B- etc discussions) :moo:

Thanks for the :goodpost: Shows how it may actually be worse in the US for treatment, and in US, :moo: that action of receiving that quickly the 14 year olds blood/serum would have taken years/act of congress (tongue in cheek statement..you get my drift)

I am sure they blood typed the blood before injecting into him. Blood from survivors of Ebola apparently is very effective and has been tried in prior outbreaks. He wouldn't have gotten it here for sure (congress or not) considering there are no survivors of Ebola in this country.

 

[SophieRose]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkr...ican-ebola-patients-coming-to-emory-hospital/

Dr. Ribner noted that supportive care still makes a greater difference when offered in an institution such as Emory.

&#8220;When you see estimates of 60% and 80% mortality, realize that this is occurring in a health care system that does not operate as our healthcare system functions,&#8221; said Ribner.

Based on conversations with physicians who have cared for patients in those environments, Ribner said, &#8221;If these patients had the level of medical support that we are prepared to offer, the mortality rates would be much less.&#8221;

 

[SophieRose]

http://web.stanford.edu/group/virus/filo/humandiseases.html

•David L. Heymann, MD, Director of Emerging Viral and Bacterial Diseases, Surveillance and Control, World Health Organization:
"The symptoms which occur in Ebola are very similar to those which occur in may other diseases in tropical Africa. Fever, up to 40 degrees centigrade, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache, especially frontal headache, hiccups (and hiccups in this case are a very bad sign.) They are associated with a very severe prognosis probably because of irritation to the diaphragm, ocular injection and in very light skinned persons a macular rash. After the sixth day, on days seven and eight, there is actually a clinical improvement in many cases and a decrease in fatigue and many persons feel extremely well during this period. For many this is only the beginning of a cure and as you know there is about a 30% survival rate in this disease. For those unfortunate ones who don't survive on day nine onwards they begin with hemorrhagic signs which you know well from having seen films from the outbreak in Zaire. Bleeding from the orifices and eventually death. So these are the signs and symptoms of Ebola which show that this disease in its early phase is very difficult to distinguish from other diseases in tropical Africa." From his EIINet Seminar, 2 April 1996.

 

[atthelake]

I am sure they blood typed the blood before injecting into him. Blood from survivors of Ebola apparently is very effective and has been tried in prior outbreaks. He wouldn't have gotten it here for sure (congress or not) considering there are no survivors of Ebola in this country.

Exactly! On point! lucky that the boy was compatible blood type (which they can do easily) and lucky/fortunate that he was in Africa to get that blood/serum. If it happened in US, I do not think that he would have that opportunity to get that blood. Nope, no way due to regulations etc etc. :moo: from what I have gleaned

I said earlier that I'm glad he is here for treatment, but now thinking .... so many things can be done outside of US that would NOT be allowed to happen/have *FDA* approval etc here. Hmmmmmmm.... thanks for the prodding jjenny! back on :fence: :seeya:

 

[SophieRose]

Medical article from 2003:

http://jvi.asm.org/content/77/18/9733

The components of the immune system that may protect against Ebola virus infection have not been defined. Antibody titers against Ebola virus GPs are readily detectable in patients who recover from Ebola virus infection; however, anecdotal reports have indicated that serum from recovered patients did not consistently protect against infection or exhibit neutralization of virus replication in cell culture. Furthermore, passive transfer of antibodies in animal models only delays the onset of symptoms and does not alter overall survival.

 

[gngr~snap]

We have dialysis, blood transfusions, artificial airways, ecmo....
imo they want him alive to do research on him. The first American with it died...

All posts are MOO

 

[Elley Mae]

Brantly and Writebol will be kept isolated in the special containment units and will be treated by highly trained personnel. Emory says it is talking with the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC about possible experimental treatments.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/second-american-ebola-patient-arrive-next-few-days/ngs9d/

snipped

The FBI released a statement to Channel 2's Mark Winne saying they are helping to provide security for the arrival and transfer of the patients.

"The FBI, in working with officials at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Health and Human Services (HHS), provided security in conjunction with today's first arrival and transport of an Ebola patient scheduled for treatment at Atlanta. The FBI will provide similar security as an extra layer of protection to the public upon the arrival in the next few days of an additional Ebola patient. The FBI is coordinating with Emory University's Police Department with regard to any additional security concerns or needs," said the statement.

 

[SophieRose]

Does anyone know how long each of the two have had Ebola? And where are the other three hospitals with special containment units located?