BSL-4 Agents
All are bioterrorism select agents
Very error prone polymerase would be expected to lead to high mutagenesis
Until the recent outbreak, structure of binding/fusion glycoprotein was unkown
Outer envelope derived from host-cell membrane
Ebola uses human cellular receptor is Endosomal Niemann pick type C1 (NPC1)
Ebolavirus can infect many mammals including pigs, primates, and bats.
Almost always a single source introduction
Secondary transmission rates in humans vary from 5-25%
Risk for close household contacts is around 25%
Risk for nurses without protective equipment is upwards of 80%
Easily passed in virtually all body fluids
Household caretakers and burial practitioners are also at high risk
Virus can persist in semen and vaginal secretions for a year or more
Current WHO recommendation is abstinence for 3 months after symptom onset
The basic reproduction number of Ebola is relatively low and less than 1 with interventions (this is no SARS)
Prior to 2014, outbreaks could be halted simply by closing the hospital
Most outbreaks end within 2 months
All tests including viral load can be undetectable until about 3 days after symptoms
After recovery: IgM and IgG antibodies