Vancouver-based scientists have developed a treatment for Ebola that prevented monkeys from dying of the hemorrhagic fever, according to a study published in the British medical Journal The Lancet.

“Over the past decade, we have evaluated numerous therapeutic approaches for the treatment of lethal viruses, such as Ebola,” said study co-author Dr. Lisa Hensley of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. “None of them have conferred complete protection to Ebola virus-infected primates—until now.”

“The significance of this report goes beyond the protection against Ebola virus,” said Col. John P. Skvorak, commander of USAMRIID. “It also represents the potential for this concept to be applied to other viral infections.”

The therapeutic used in the study was developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Vancouver.

Ebola, which has mortality rate of roughly 80 per cent, is typically spread through bodily fluids, but it can also be aerosolized, and is considered a potential agent of biological warfare or terrorism.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.