2014_10_17_MED_conferencia_ebola

"The problem of Ebola in Africa is not only the deaths caused directly, but all the deaths it causes in people who have other diseases. The population has stopped going to hospitals for fear of contagion. As a result, other ailments are not treated and end up being lethal". This was emphasized by the Full Professor of Microbiology, Ignacio López-Goñi, and Dr. José Luis del Pozo, of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra José Luis del Pozo in a session organized by the department of Microbiology and Parasitology and the high school of Tropical Health (ISTUN) of the University of Navarra.

During his speech, Professor López-Goñi highlighted the challenge posed by this disease in Africa , where there are no means of treating patients or isolating them to prevent contagion. Likewise, despite its seriousness, "in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone many more people die every day from AIDS (685) or malaria (552) than from Ebola (13)". "However, the great concern is that these numbers will increase and that the disease will move to large cities where the chances of contact are greater." This status has led the World Health Organization to set itself the goal 60-70-70. "In 60 days, 70% of infected people isolated and 70% of burials in decent but safe conditions."

Regarding the Ebola virus, he pointed out that there are different species of the virus and that this is not the first time an outbreak has occurred. "Since 1976 there have been more than 20 sporadic outbreaks. What is different about the current one is that this time it has occurred in a different area of Africa, it has appeared in large cities and has crossed the continent's borders." 

Ebola, a weapon of bioterrorism

For his part, Dr. José Luis del Pozo emphasized the clinical aspects of the disease, pointing out that one of the greatest challenges is that the symptoms in the first phase are not very specific, which can lead to confusion with influenza, malaria or meningitis. "This favors contagion in countries such as Liberia or Guinea with scarce resources and possibilities of isolation".

"Although the figures may be underestimated, there is talk of an overall mortality rate of up to 70% before August 18 and 60% after that date, after which there is a slight improvement," the physician added. As regards treatment, "Ebola has been considered a weapon of bioterrorism, which is why some countries had already included this disease in their research, hence the existence of monoclonal antibodies or vaccines. In fact, a first human vaccination essay is expected to begin in early 2015 in Africa".

 Even so, this poses challenges:"The laboratories that have produced the serums or vaccines do not have the means for further production"; and the fact that these are experimental drugs, which have not been tested in humans, "also poses an ethical challenge that will have to be assessed".