More Ebola...and something interesting on the side...

The second largest outbreak of Ebola in history is happening as we speak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. First reported in April of this year, the total of reported cases is currently 471. 423 confirmed and 48 probable. Of those there are 273 deaths. 225 confirmed and 48 probable.

2nd deadliest ebola outbreak in history

As with other outbreaks in the past there are a number of issues making containment difficult. Among them are the speed with which the disease spreads and incubates, the lack of trust for outsiders, the warring factions within the infection zone, and so on. What is more unique about this outbreak is that it has reached major city.

Butembo, a bustling city of almost a million people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is reporting an increasing number of cases of Ebola virus disease in the country's current epidemic.

Butembo is a key trading and transport hub with links to other major cities in the country as well as to neighboring Uganda. It's about two times the size of the city of Beni, the outbreak's epicenter, and is located just 35 miles away. The health ministry said the "high density and mobility" of Butembo's population presents new challenges to containment efforts, already complicated by sporadic rebel attacks on remote villages in and around Beni.

While reading through the various articles and reports from various organisations I noticed the phrase "compassionate care" or "compassionate use" in regards to describing the treatment of infected patients. It struck me as an odd way to say they were receiving treatment. So, I looked further.

The Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation, and their various partners are working in unison to contain the outbreak and treat infected persons as quickly and effectively as possible. Despite their efforts the week of November 12 saw the highest number of reported onset cases since the outbreak began. The two weeks following have shown a decrease in numbers, however, reporting is incomplete at this time due to various factors.

DRC Situation report

DRC Situation Update

Again, the phrase "compassionate use" in regards to patient care, along with MEURI. Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions. MEURI was a consultation of independent scientific experts convened by the WHO for the purpose of evaluating the use of unregistered investigative therapeutics for the current Ebola Virus outbreak. The meeting took place on May 17, fully eight weeks before there was even one confirmed case of Ebola. There had been several suspected cases going back to the 30th of April but none confirmed until July 9th.

The meeting on May 17 was quite an accomplishment considering there hadn't even been a single confirmed case to discuss. Let alone a reason to discuss the use of unregistered investigative drugs.

MEURI

This goes beyond just being an ethical protocol. In fact, they make a point to distinguish between clinical trial ethics and disaster protocol noting that

some limited and appropriate deviation from standard research expectations in disaster situations is increasingly accepted.

New guidelines are needed that better define the boundaries between using medicines for compassionate use and conducting a clinical trial.

Again, "compassionate use". Say it enough times and it starts sounding pretty. Compassionate use is just a cute way of saying, "We have no idea what this drug will do to you - so we are going to inject you and find out..."

Review of Protocol

We don't hear much about the Ebola scare these days. They got their money for funding vaccine research all ready. When they get a vaccine we will get blasted by a sales pitch to get it...even though there is not much if any Ebola here yet.

5. Is participation in the ring vaccination voluntary?

Yes. Participation in this “expanded access” or “compassionate use” of the Ebola vaccine is entirely free and voluntary. Each eligible person makes their own decision whether to participate or not and can withdraw at any time. Their rights will be respected. Disregard of whether the eligible person chooses to participate or not, it will not have an impact on their access to health services.

www.who.int...


Please read the whole thing.

I had no idea there were 473 cases now.. The last time I looked it was around 100..

As far as untested meds... If I had Ebola and they had half a dozen unproven meds I would say give me all of them.. Probably no worse than bleeding out with Ebola.. either way I am probably dead..

I’m sure the United States Bio-Warfare labs in Africa are all over it.

a reply to: Phage

I was reading from several organisations websites and numerous documents. I didn't read the FAQ and act like I knew everything about it.

Voluntary or not it is still using unregistered investigative drugs on people. And the use of the term "voluntary" requires the belief that every protocol is strictly adhered to in every case. Tell someone they have Ebola then tell them you have a new drug you want to try and ask them if its ok. What do you think they will say? This is the medical equivalent of a payday loan.

And that does nothing to address the timing of the events.

Oh, and in the whole five minutes between my post and yours, did YOU read the WHOLE THING?

a reply to: Vroomfondel

Tell someone they have Ebola then tell them you have a new drug you want to try and ask them if its ok.

You didn't read it, did you? The vaccine is not given to those who are infected.

4. How is the ring vaccination done?

A ring vaccination tracks the epidemic, recruiting individuals at raised risk of infection due to their connection to a patient confirmed with the virus.

6. Who are eligible for the vaccine?

Each person to be considered for the expanded access of the vaccine will receive one dose of the vaccine. The persons to be considered include:

Contacts, and contacts of contacts of confirmed Ebola virus disease patients (dead or alive),
Health care and frontline workers (local and international) in the affected areas, and
Health care and frontline workers in areas at risk of spread of the outbreak

a reply to: 727Sky

That was one of the points I was making. Tell someone they have Ebola, then tell them you have a new drug you want to try out on them. What do you think they will say? Describing the program as voluntary is a label put on by a lawyer disguised as a bad joke.

a reply to: Phage

WHO convened a meeting of scientific experts to evaluate the available information and data on investigational therapeutics intended to treat Ebola virus disease (EVD). The purpose of the meeting was to consider whether the available information supported MEURI for access to investigational therapeutics on an individual patient basis for treatment of EVD during the current outbreak, outside of clinical trial.

"For treatment of EVD", not vaccination against EVD. The documents I read were not talking about vaccines. MEURI can be applied to more than one situation or scenario. In THIS case it is treatment, not vaccination.

Congratulations, you took a thread off topic in less than five minutes and one post. See, you do get better the more you practice...

a reply to: Vroomfondel

Compassionate use of Ebola vaccine in the context of the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Updated 30 October 2018

What are the chances of a "disease" or virus/pathogen being released that produces symptoms similar to ebola but isn't deadly. Then during a relatively small outbreak of ebola, this other vector is released to bring in fearful people who think they have ebola. The inflow of people will (unfortunately) be very willing to take experimental drugs in the hopes of saving themselves from ebola. This situation is used to do an illegal test of drugs/meds and even if the person dies, they can blame it on Ebola and the bodies are quickly disposed of (cremation or secure bio facility) where there will be no further inspection or recourse for the victim and family.

I've always been very wary of these types of situations where these "official" medical organizations storm into a country suffering a horrendous situation and I wonder how/what the oversite is and who is really responsible and in-charge. There are too many ways that this could be abused it seems.

Waiting until we start hearing how Ebola is the white mans fault and Africa use it to extort more money from us from guilt ridden liberals.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.

Time to stop letting people travel to USA from that region of Africa.

Why can someone donate hand sanitizer to the people, and teach hygiene. I unpacked my kids together this year at college. I realized I had given them 5 hand sanitizers over the years and they weren't using them. I said put one near your door for guests, and one each in your car drink cup holders. ATMs, gas pumps, sign up pens at offices and cashiers, money, handshaking... all germy activities. Quarantene the area. There is no cure for this and it is catchy. Africa is on fire.