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Ebola: Big Pharma Steps Up To The Plate


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#1 brzghoff

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Posted 28 August 2014 - 06:38 PM

we wondered if this day would come, because there is no money in it, but it appears that Glaxo Smith Kline is partnering wth the NIH and global health organizations to manufacture one of the experimentel ebola vaccines

 

http://www.forbes.co...-collaboration/

 

http://www.theguardi...-vaccine-humans

 

its a start. perhaps their move can start a new dialog about  the virtues of corporate altruism towards humanity.


#2 FiveNotions

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Posted 28 August 2014 - 07:35 PM

Good articles / info, Bryzghoff, thanks for posting!
 
Here are two I just read ....

Most complete Ebola genome yet
http://www.latimes.c...ory.html#page=1

Ebola virus has mutated during course of outbreak
http://www.washingto...ad33_story.html

#3 Carleeta

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Posted 28 August 2014 - 07:52 PM

Good articles / info, Bryzghoff, thanks for posting!
 
Here are two I just read ....

Most complete Ebola genome yet
http://www.latimes.c...ory.html#page=1

Ebola virus has mutated during course of outbreak
http://www.washingto...ad33_story.html

Great articles....very interesting....Did your neighbors come back from West Africa yet.  Was thinking about that lately.....


#4 FiveNotions

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Posted 30 August 2014 - 06:14 PM

If it's mutating this rapidly, how the heck can they develop a vaccine(s)?

Ebola Is Rapidly Mutating As It Spreads Across West Africa
NPR
http://www.npr.org/b...oss-west-africa

#5 FiveNotions

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Posted 30 August 2014 - 08:02 PM

On the ebola topic, but not related to research and news articles ... I finally found out what happened to my two Liberian neighbors/friends who'd gone over for a vacation to visit family ... I saw one of them today, he's back working in the small grocery store in my building ... turns out that the two of them are cousins ... one of them is considered the official head of the entire family in Liberia ... all of whom live in and around Monrovia ... they stayed over there longer, in order to bring all of the family members in to live in the main family home ... actually, a large "compound" that the head of family has had built over there, by sending money from the US over to other family members to use for the construction ... (clearly materials and labor are dirt cheap there) ...

 

Anyway, they got the entire family together, have rented other houses very nearby as needed, and made sure that they had stockpiles of food, hygiene and health supplies, etc.... and they came back to the US ... the family is living inside the compound and the close by houses, and not going to the open markets, etc. in order to avoid exposure ...

 

My two neighbors returned home, here in DC. the family elder is a US citizen, the younger man has his green card. The senior family "matron" who lives in Liberia is managing the family living in the compound ... she also has a US green card ...

 

My neighbors and the "matron" are now working to get US travel visas for as many of the family members as they can, focusing on the parents with young children. They want to get them all here to the US.

 

This fellow told me today that the US has placed NO restrictions on travel from Liberia or any of the ebola hot spots to the US, nor have they instituted any kind of quarantine or health check before entering the US ....

 

And in addition, the US has instituted an "informal" policy of allowing anyone from those countries who is currently here on a travel, student or any other kind of visa to "over stay" indefinitely so they do not have to return to their countries. Nor have any limits been placed on how many individuals from any of these countries are allowed to travel here ....

 

My friends are counting on this "free over stay" policy to be applied to anyone who comes here from those countries on newly issued visas ......

 

He said that everyone in the US who is from one of those countries and has permanent residence or US citizenship is doing the same thing for their extended family members ... applying to get them travel visas to come to the US ... because we've placed no travel restrictions, no health quarantine or check restrictions on them, and have essentially "waived" the requirement that they actually return to those countries ...

 

Given the relatively long "incubation" period of ebola, this strikes me as complete recklessness and disregard for the safety of our citizens on the part of what I used to think was "my" US government. :angry:

 

Also, I didn't ask, but my assumption is that any family members who get here will immediately apply for and receive food stamps and Medicaid ... further stressing our system to the point of collapse.... :angry:


#6 TryinginFL

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Posted 30 August 2014 - 08:15 PM

FN...

 

I agree...


#7 FiveNotions

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 11:03 AM

Ebola kills 5 Sierra Leone researchers before their study on outbreak is published
http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.1922329
All five of the deceased co-authors worked at a Sierra Leone hospital. The study, led by a team at Harvard University, found that Ebola has mutated over the course of the outbreak.


#8 Carleeta

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 02:10 PM

Five Notions, interesting two posts...hmmmmmm.  Not surprised the ebola mutated, Since the CDC level 1 alert, more trained medical staff went over to that area and new and more detailed tests were preformed over a numerous amount of infected individuals.  I won't go into the cell and DNA differentials, although I will say what ever experimental drug they had for cure of this ebola, won't be effective now where the mutation was found. 

 

As for your neighbor/friend, they were there for the CDC level 1 Alert. They went there before the Alert 1 and probably left when it was dropped down to the Level 3 which is where it is at now, I believe.  Most likely they were very busy moving everyone around during this high level alert, probably getting them to safety.  What I do find odd, is the US reporters were not even allowed into this area during the CDC level 1 alert.  So what I am thinking is they are either not telling you the whole story (why would they..they want their family here and certainly won't tell you there may be some sort of exposure), or they were not affected by the onset of the Level 1 alert during their travel times. 

 

Still now at a level 3 alert, they are advising no unnecessary travel to that area, therefore something does not sound right in their story.  What I do know as up to this point is the symptoms should appear about the 3 week point after infected.  This could be an alert for you, and you keeping an eye on them to see any symptoms in them.

It's also possible that the 'family" cannot come over to the US at this time because of this outbreak.  Delayed in getting their cards, and the such because of the outbreak.  I'm not saying the neighbor/friend is lying to you, although I do think they are not telling the whole story.  I'm sure they are not letting the family here (from the US side) until they have gone all through the red tape (which includes the ebola). I have more faith in our government because they know this is not what they need here especially with no 'passed' drug.  The US does not want an epidemic here, they do want it contained where it is right now.  Infact, this is exactly what the US/CDC is afraid of.....people getting into the US with the Ebola.  They even know the woman in the US who had had it, where she is and what her progress is. 

 

I base everything of this nature to facts.  You know when your neighbors left, you know when they were suspected back.  They returned much later than their expected date..(something right there waved a red flag for you, and rightfully so at this time of the outbreak).  They have even told you they will not open markets because of possible contamination of food.  I am wondering what they were able to eat while they were there.  Just to be on the safe side I would keep my eye on these individuals to make sure they do not show signs of sickness...  It's possible they were cleared... Yes there are many visa's and green cards for all different countries, and yes they almost can come and go as they please.  9/11 proved this!

 

As far as Medicaid and social services that will never change.  I guess the whole purpose of this post is to let you know you have come in close contact with individuals who recently arrived back from Liberia where the outbreak is....  Just be cautious as you usually are... :)               













e and outbreak).  They told you


#9 FiveNotions

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 06:48 PM

Bingo, Carleeta ... as I've been thinking back over what the fella told me, I've seen the same "gaps" ... something isn't adding up ...


#10 FiveNotions

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 07:16 PM

Ebola Outbreak-related Immigration Relief Measures to Nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone Currently in the United States
http://www.uscis.gov...y-united-states

"Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even if the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired"

#11 Carleeta

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Posted 01 September 2014 - 01:23 PM

Ebola Outbreak-related Immigration Relief Measures to Nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone Currently in the United States
http://www.uscis.gov...y-united-states

"Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even if the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired"

Looks like no back and forth here......


#12 Carleeta

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Posted 01 September 2014 - 01:25 PM

FiveNotions, truly my opinion on this Ebola outbreak, is I honestly feel they are containing it in West Africa and don't think we will see too many cases (if any) here in the US where it would be a major concern...  Having said that, I would still want you to be cautious around your friend/neighbors for about a month, just to be on the safe side..


#13 brzghoff

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Posted 01 September 2014 - 02:32 PM

 

Also, I didn't ask, but my assumption is that any family members who get here will immediately apply for and receive food stamps and Medicaid ... further stressing our system to the point of collapse.... :angry:

 

i am not sure how the system works now, but in 2001 i sponsored my german son in law when he applied for permanent residency. i had to sign documents verifying that he would NOT apply for any form of food stamps, medicaid and other entitlements. i think that after one year he would have been eligible but has not considered applying. i do not know if those on temporary visas are ever able to apply for entitlements legally - although as we all know there are plenty of loopholes.


#14 FiveNotions

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Posted 02 September 2014 - 12:50 PM

Well, the markets in Monrovia are wide open, and their ebola quarantine efforts don't look too effective to me ... a friend just sent me this video of a market, and what happened when an ebola patient ran away from the hospital and arrived looking for food ... just heart-breaking ...

http://news.sky.com/...search-for-food


#15 Carleeta

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Posted 02 September 2014 - 03:31 PM

This was such a heartbreaking story.  Knowing they are trying to contain the ebola from spreading, and knowing the infected individuals are starving....This is such a sad situation...One part of this story shows how they are containing the ebola and the other shows how individuals affected by this are starving....amazing..... Either way it's a double ended sword for these individuals....Thank you for sharing this story FiveNotions....


#16 FiveNotions

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Posted 02 September 2014 - 03:41 PM

This is what I don't understand, Carleeta ... how can it be that there isn't food for those quarantined / being treated? Also, if people can "escape" from the hospitals / treatment areas, how can the disease possibly be contained?

Also, I learned a bit more about what my Liberian friends/neighbors were doing while over there ... the US Embassy in Monrovia was (and is) still processing nonimmigrant visas for Liberians to come to the US (student F-1s, Business / tourist B1&B2s) ....the British embassy was also doing this but has, I believe shut off all visas from all ebola countries ... these guys got tourist visas for a number of the closest relatives, the ones with young children, either to the US or to the UK .... then the airlines started shutting down international flights ... British Air was one of the first, Delta here in the US was one of the last to shut down ... so, they tried to get the relatives with nonimmigrant visas booked on flights out ...

None of that worked ... because they couldn't get them on the planes and out of the country before flights stopped ...

Why in the hell the US Embassy is still processing visas to come here is a mystery to me ....

#17 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 11:57 AM

Not looking good ....

Virologist: “It’s Too Late, Ebola Will Kill 5 Million”
Expert says virus will infect entire population of African countries
http://www.globalres...million/5401341

Ebola in the air? A nightmare that could happen
http://www.cnn.com/2...ebola-airborne/

U.S. Scientists See Long Fight Against Ebola
http://www.nytimes.c...v=top-news&_r=2

#18 gail

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 04:42 PM

Thanks FN, getting educated here. As I don't watch the news often.

May by you could change you name to CNN_FN !

#19 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 04:55 PM

hehehe, Gail, you crack me up! .... I don't trust any of the US-based news media anymore ... heck, they sure haven't / don't (for the most part) investigate these bad meds like Cymbalta and warn the public about them ... :angry:


#20 Carleeta

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 07:12 PM

This is what I don't understand, Carleeta ... how can it be that there isn't food for those quarantined / being treated? Also, if people can "escape" from the hospitals / treatment areas, how can the disease possibly be contained?Also, I learned a bit more about what my Liberian friends/neighbors were doing while over there ... the US Embassy in Monrovia was (and is) still processing nonimmigrant visas for Liberians to come to the US (student F-1s, Business / tourist B1&B2s) ....the British embassy was also doing this but has, I believe shut off all visas from all ebola countries ... these guys got tourist visas for a number of the closest relatives, the ones with young children, either to the US or to the UK .... then the airlines started shutting down international flights ... British Air was one of the first, Delta here in the US was one of the last to shut down ... so, they tried to get the relatives with nonimmigrant visas booked on flights out ...None of that worked ... because they couldn't get them on the planes and out of the country before flights stopped ...Why in the hell the US Embassy is still processing visas to come here is a mystery to me ....

...I believe the US Embassy will still process the paperwork for the Visa, although getting them here, or leaving their country is another issue. ..It's what I suspected from the start; they were going to be held up from leaving...Isn't British Airways bigger than Delta? I'm thinking if they are bigger this would indicate more entries into the UK than, although I don't know if they are bigger. .I would have to check that out...

#21 Carleeta

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 07:31 PM

FiveNotions. ..No you do not have things wrong...Your research is way better than US TV news...I would correct you (from what I know of what's going on with this Ebola from what I'm being informed about).. You know as well as I the news will not release much in the US for fear of phandamonium (wrong spelling). What I do know is this; the US will probably be the country that will come up with the vaccine. Am I concerned about this Ebola virus? Yes I am. It's still a huge concern for all health care workers, although right at the present time all techs at the labs are more concerned about the respiratory virus which is hitting many states right now and spreading fast...Ebola concern is here and as far as I know nothing has changed with all protocols in place...

#22 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 07:49 PM

Carleeta, thank you for mentioning that new respiratory virus ... I wanted to ask you about it... Does it have a name? How serious is it? Why does it hit mostly/only children? Is there a vaccine for it?

 

You are my "go-to" person for all this confusing laboratory stuff! :)


#23 Carleeta

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:17 PM

Yes it's the Enterovirus, other wise known as the EVD68....There are no antibiotics for this virus..You catch it just like you catch the common cold. ..You need to let it run its course...Children mostly at this time are infected. The worse part of this virus is th a t it brings on breathing problems...Children/individuals with asthma or other breathing difficulties have the worse time and most likely have to be hidpitalzed....It's spreading fast due to children returning to school.. What everyone needs to do is stay away from anyone they know who has it, and constantly washing your hands, all the necessary hygiene used for the flu and cold...

What so important about this virus, concerning the lab and health care staff is this will be the protocol now and hospital and clinics will be filled....Hospitals will have to make special provisions for floors to be dedicated to the hospitalized children...only adults will be allowed to visit them...and floors may be shut down....Clinics will be full of these children...Therefore stay clear of these medical facilities if you can. ..They have not ruled out if adults are catching this virus...I would say if an adult suffering from respiratory issues, there is a chance they could cat it...

The worse, worse part of it, is its spreading fast.....I know the medical staff is over working in all the effected states...

#24 Carleeta

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:19 PM

FiveNotions. ..it's hitting children mostly because theirs lungs are still smaller than an adult....sorry I missed that question. ..lol lol

#25 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 08:36 PM

Wow, Carleeta ... I didn't realize that it's spreading so fast, and has the potential to overload our hospital/clinic system ... nor had I thought about the return to school thing ...

Several more questions ... where'd it come from, why is it appearing now, why haven't we heard about it before (or have we, and I just missed it)?

#26 Carleeta

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 09:10 PM

No FiveNotions this is not a new virus...We haven't heard of it for many years...I believe it was many many years ago...and it wasn't spread too far. why it popped up again or where it originated..What has me puzzled is it is spreading quickly and a large number of children have been infected by this...

It's like the common cold (which has been around forever) and if a child has asthma this common cold gets into their airways causing more respitory problems t han the common cold.. What puzzles me, is there must be more children with asthma today than years ago...hmmmm.

Yes the states that have been hit with this virus, have been hit almost immediately once the children went back to school...They were in overload because the children were catching it fast, and being admitted....

#27 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 10:05 PM

Carleeta, here are some statistics about asthma in children:

Asthma [currently affects] an estimated 7.1 million children under 18 years; of which 4.1 million suffered from an asthma attack or episode in 2011. (From the American Lung Association, September 2014: http://www.lung.org/...t-sheet.html#1)

In 2007, 6.7 million children had asthma. (From Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, based on statistics from the CDC: http://pediatrics.aa...nt_3/S131.full)
 

I wonder why the huge increase in asthma in children?


#28 FiveNotions

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 11:19 PM

Some more good news...

 

Fast-tracking treatments: the hunt for Ebola medicines is being accelerated
The Economist, 9/13/2014
http://www.economist...king-treatments


#29 FiveNotions

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 02:47 PM

The Mathematics of Ebola Trigger Start Warnings
Wired online, 9/14/2014
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/r0-ebola/

FTA: "The most arresting [ebola news] is a piece published last week in the journal Eurosurveillance, which is the peer-reviewed publication of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (the EU’s Stockholm-based version of the US CDC). The piece is an attempt to assess mathematically how the epidemic is growing, by using case reports to determine the “reproductive number. . . Here is their stop-you-in-your-tracks assessment:

In a worst-case hypothetical scenario, should the outbreak continue with recent trends, the case burden could gain an additional 77,181 to 277,124 cases by the end of 2014. . . That is a jaw-dropping number."

[End of excerpt.]


#30 FiveNotions

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 08:48 PM

Found these two items interesting ... found the journal article first, then search based on the article title, and found the blog article ...

Human rhinoviruses and enteroviruses in influenza-like illness in Latin America
Virology Journal vol. 10, 2013
http://www.virologyj...422X-10-305.pdf (freely available)
 
The Case of the Mystery Virus
Powerline Blog, 9/13/2014
http://www.powerline...stery-virus.php



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