The Ebola Vaccine

When my professor requested a research on How Important is the Ebola Vaccine? I immediately had to first find out what Ebola was, and how you contract this disease. After getting an understanding of the virus and what causes it, I proceed to research to explain the importance of the vaccine, how effective it is and how well it could fundamentally alter humans contain future Ebola out-breaks. Through-out the years of human history the problem of diseases has existed. The Ebola virus has become increasingly pervasive in recent years and is steady on the rise. The epidemic has led to more than 11,000 deaths and approximately 27,000 cases (Maron, 2015).

What is Ebola?

According to (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola formerly

known
as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is an uncommon and fatal disease caused by infections of the Ebola virus strain.

The disease can be found in humans and non-human primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of Filoviridae genus Ebolavirus. (About Ebola Virus Disease, 2015)

The Ebola Viruses are found in several African Countries. CDC (2015) stated that Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River now called “The Democratic Republic of the Congo”. The natural source host of Ebola virus vestiges undisclosed. Nevertheless, evidenced and the comparability of the disease, the researchers, believed that the virus is animal borne and bats are stated to be the most likely

receptacle.

How Do You Contract Ebola?

I’m sure this question has been on every one’s mind as the virus is rapidly on the rise. According to The Washington Post so eloquently put it, “Fear can spread even faster than the virus.’’ Dovery (2014) stated that Ebola is serious and extremely deadly but, like all viruses the number one risk factor is actually coming in contact with some one who has the virus, but in order to get Ebola, you have to come into direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who is infected with the virus and already indicative. Dovery listed some direct contact as examples:

1. blood or body fluids(including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola,
2. objects(like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with body fluids
3. contaminated fruits bats or primates(apes and monkeys), and
4. perhaps from contact with semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola (ex. having oral vaginal, or anal sex) (Dovery, 2014).

How Important is the Ebola Vaccine?

In the research that was conducted by the Scientific American, it was proposed that for the first time, they have evidenced to prove that the Ebola vaccination works. Research showed that interim study results, revealed by the World Health Organization on July 31, 2015 as a result, a single shot can protect people who were directly or ultimately exposed to individuals with the infection. (Maron, 2015). The vaccine suggested appeared safe and could save lives.

Furthermore, another research done by (Ebola: The Race for Drugs and Vaccines, 2015),stated that trials which would in general take years and decades are being fast-tracked on a times scales of weeks and months. The aim is to use the lowest dose of vaccine possible that provides protections because of the so large out-break. Vaccine Company Novavax has recently announced the start of an Australian trial designed to investigate another potential immunization on healthy human volunteers (2015).

Furthermore, 3,850 people have died from having the virus this current year 2015. Some of the countries listed were Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. If the Ebola vaccination can save lives than it is worth the research and time that has been

invested.

Most literature examined into this reviews suggest that immunization vaccine if developed and approved could reduce the Ebola virus and based on the promising results, they are no longer delaying anyone from receiving the vaccination for the purpose of the study. Never the less, Ebola contacts will be vaccinated and researchers will continue to gather data.

The objective of this research was to investigate why the Ebola vaccine is so important and ways researchers can continue to experiment until they find a proactive solution that can bring a sure awareness of the significance of the Ebola Vaccine.

The data used to collect information on the topic of Ebola virus was secondary data collection. Secondary data are collected from written documents, reports and surveys that were completed by other people researching a specific topic. After completing the research on Ebola vaccine it is my recommendation that we continues to educate ourselves with resources and information regarding viruses whether it’s in the United States or another country. Before this research, I had no interest in the Ebola disease because I took the deposition that because it did not affect the United State than it was not important. It has certainly taught me a lot about knowing what is going on around you.