An Overview of Newly Emerging Viral Plagues: The Hemorrhagic Fevers and a Newly Mysterious Suspect of Viral Disease, Acute Flaccid Paralysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 203-214
Author(s):  
Michael B. A. Oldstone
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Pericardial Cavity ◽  
Blood Flows ◽  
Acute Flaccid Myelitis ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
Serious Disease

This chapter highlights three of the recently identified viruses: Lassa fever virus, Ebola virus, and hantavirus. All three are equally lethal infectious agents, but they are members of different viral families. They share the ability to cause hemorrhagic fever. Once infected with any of these viruses, the victim soon suffers profuse breaks in small blood vessels, causing blood to ooze from the skin, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and rectum. Internally, blood flows into the pleural cavity where the lungs are located, into the pericardial cavity surrounding the heart, into the abdomen, and into organs like the liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and lungs. Eventually, this uncontrolled bleeding causes unconsciousness and death. There is currently no established vaccine to prevent these potential plagues, although several are in various stages of development, and an Ebola vaccine is currently undergoing trial in Africa. The chapter also considers a newly emerging and undefined but serious disease of children, which arose primarily in 2014. Based on clinical observations, the disease is identified by the signs and symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Knowledge and Sources of Information on Lassa Fever Infection Among the Undergraduate Students of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110063
Author(s):  
MaryJoy Umoke ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke ◽  
Chioma Adaora Nwalieji ◽  
Rosemary N. Onwe ◽  
Ifeanyi Emmanuel Nwafor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
State University ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Endemic Diseases ◽  
Academic Level

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute viral hemorrhagic fever, endemic in West Africa including Nigeria. The study assessed the knowledge and sources of information on Lassa fever infection among the undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among a sample of 389 students (18 years above). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed with SPSS (Version 20), and hypotheses were tested at p < .05 level of significance. Results showed that the majority of the students had good knowledge of Lassa fever description, 232 (60.75%); the signs and symptoms, 221 (57.9%); mode of transmission, 261 (68.41%); and preventive measures, 291 (76.13%). Radio, 23 (84.6%), and television, 307 (80.4%), were their major sources of information. Age ( p = .424), sex ( p = .082), and academic level ( p = .553) were not significant in the study, while faculty (social sciences; p = .000*) was strongly associated with the knowledge of Lassa fever. In conclusion, the overall knowledge of Lassa fever was good among students, though knowledge gaps were observed in the signs and symptoms. We recommend that health education on endemic diseases in the state be made a compulsory course as a general study (GST) in the university. Also, the internet, social media, and campus campaign be further used to educate and sensitize students on the effect of Lassa fever.

scholarly journals Emergence of Lassa Fever Disease in Northern Togo: Report of Two Cases in Oti District in 2016

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akouda Akessiwe Patassi ◽  
Dadja Essoya Landoh ◽  
Agballa Mebiny-Essoh Tchalla ◽  
Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko ◽  
Hamadi Assane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
First Case

Background. Lassa fever belongs to the group of potentially fatal hemorrhagic fevers, never reported in Togo. The aim of this paper is to report the first two cases of Lassa fever infection in Togo. Case Presentation. The two first Lassa fever cases occurred in two expatriate’s health professionals working in Togo for more than two years. The symptoms appeared among two health professionals of a clinic located in Oti district in the north of the country. The absence of clinical improvement after antimalarial treatment and the worsening of clinical symptoms led to the medical evacuation. The delayed diagnosis of the first case led to a fatal outcome. The second case recovered under ribavirin treatment. Conclusion. The emergence of this hemorrhagic fever confirms the existence of Lassa fever virus in Togo. After a period of intensive Ebola virus transmission from 2013 to 2015, this is an additional call for the establishment and enhancement of infection prevention and control measures in the health care setting in West Africa.

scholarly journals Host Protein BAG3 is a Negative Regulator of Lassa VLP Egress

Diseases ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziying Han ◽  
Michael Schwoerer ◽  
Philip Hicks ◽  
Jingjing Liang ◽  
Gordon Ruthel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Ww Domain ◽  
Host Defense Mechanism ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
Novel Host

Lassa fever virus (LFV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family and can cause acute hemorrhagic fever in humans. The LFV Z protein plays a central role in virion assembly and egress, such that independent expression of LFV Z leads to the production of virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic egress of infectious virus. LFV Z contains both PTAP and PPPY L-domain motifs that are known to recruit host proteins that are important for mediating efficient virus egress and spread. The viral PPPY motif is known to interact with specific host WW-domain bearing proteins. Here we identified host WW-domain bearing protein BCL2 Associated Athanogene 3 (BAG3) as a LFV Z PPPY interactor using our proline-rich reading array of WW-domain containing mammalian proteins. BAG3 is a stress-induced molecular co-chaperone that functions to regulate cellular protein homeostasis and cell survival via Chaperone-Assisted Selective Autophagy (CASA). Similar to our previously published findings for the VP40 proteins of Ebola and Marburg viruses, our results using VLP budding assays, BAG3 knockout cells, and confocal microscopy indicate that BAG3 is a WW-domain interactor that negatively regulates egress of LFV Z VLPs, rather than promoting VLP release. Our results suggest that CASA and specifically BAG3 may represent a novel host defense mechanism, whereby BAG3 may dampen egress of several hemorrhagic fever viruses by interacting and interfering with the budding function of viral PPxY-containing matrix proteins.

scholarly journals Emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Key Facts

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Author(s):  
Md Mahfuzar Rahman ◽  
Farnaz Mehrin ◽  
Fahim Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Global Threat

The modern emerging infection Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is of global threat originates from Africa region. This is zoonotic and identified as human diseases or previously called Ebola hemorrhagic fever which is a highly fatal human illness where case fatality rate is found up to 90%. The virus transmission begins from wild animals to human and then spreads within population through human to human. Fruit bats are found as natural host of Ebola virus. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available in the market so far, intensive supportive care is needed for severely ill patients. This paper highlights background information, problem statement, viral characteristics, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention & vaccination. It also indicates possible actions towards prevention of transmission & personal protection.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 35-37

Viruses, Plagues, and History

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. A. Oldstone
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Viral Diseases ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
Prophylactic Vaccines ◽  
The Times ◽  
Made In

“Viruses, Plagues, & History” focuses on the effects of viral diseases on human history. Written by an eminent internationally respected virologist, it couples the fabric of history with major concepts developed in virology, immunology, vaccination, and accounts by people who first had, saw and acted at the times these events occurred. Much of the preventive and therapeutic progress (vaccines, antiviral drugs) has been made in the last 60 years. Many of those who played commanding roles in the fight to understand, control and eradicate viruses and viral diseases are (were) personally known to the author and several episodes described in this book reflect their input. The book records the amazing accomplishments that led to the control of lethal and disabling viral diseases caused by Smallpox, Yellow Fever, Measles, Polio, Hepatitis A, B and C, and HIV. These six success stories are contrasted with viral infections currently out of control—COVID-19, Ebola virus, Lassa Fever virus, Hantavirus, West Nile virus, and Zika. Influenza, under reasonable containment at present, but with the potential to revert to a world-wide pandemic similar to 1918–1919 where over 50 million people were killed. The new platforms to develop inhibitory and prophylactic vaccines to limit these and other viral diseases is contrasted to the anti-vaccine movement and the false prophets of autism.

scholarly journals Ebola from emergence to epidemic: the virus and the disease, global preparedness and perspectives

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (05) ◽  
pp. 441-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Dhama ◽  
Yashpal Singh Malik ◽  
Satya Veer Singh Malik ◽  
Raj Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
International Health ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Swine Flu ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Hygienic Measures ◽  
And Control

Humans constantly encounter threats from many infectious, zoonotic, and devastating pathogens. Outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu, and swine flu posing pandemic threats have compelled health agencies to follow global preparedness for combating the emerging deadly pathogens. The outbreak in West Africa of highly contagious Ebola viral disease (EVD) that started in Guinea in December 2013, assumed global proportions to become the largest outbreak of EVD and the most prominent international health concern. With fatality rates of nearly 50%–90%, it has claimed, as of 11 April 2015, 10,619 human lives out of a total of 25,626 cases reported worldwide. Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of Filoviridae family, is associated with severe, often lethal, hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and animals. The animal hosts, including non-human primates and reservoir hosts (fruit bats), play a significant role in transmission and maintenance of EBOV in nature. Although no approved vaccine for the prevention of EVD currently exists, disease control can be greatly enhanced by timely laboratory confirmation through blood tests using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adherence to strict sanitary and hygienic measures, monitoring and surveillance of EBOV, as well as quarantine checks on international trade, transport, and visitors from affected countries are mandatory to prevent and control the spread of EVD. This review describes the salient properties of EBOV and the development of novel diagnostics, vaccines, and control strategies for this emerging disease of high public health concern and international emergency.

scholarly journals GILT restricts the cellular entry mediated by the envelope glycoproteins of SARS-CoV, Ebola virus and Lassa fever virus

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1511-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danying Chen ◽  
Zhifei Hou ◽  
Dong Jiang ◽  
Mei Zheng ◽  
Guoli Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Envelope Glycoproteins ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
Cellular Entry

Favipiravir: A New Medication for the Ebola Virus Disease Pandemic

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Nagata ◽  
Alan K. Lefor ◽  
Manabu Hasegawa ◽  
Masami Ishii
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
H1n1 Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Antiviral Medication ◽  
Pandemic Influenza H1n1

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to advocate speedy approval and less stringent regulations for the use of experimental drugs such as favipiravir in emergencies. Favipiravir is a new antiviral medication that can be used in emerging viral pandemics such as Ebola virus, 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus, Lassa fever, and Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Although favipiravir is one of the choices for the treatment of patients with Ebola virus, several concerns exist. First, a clinical trial of favipiravir in patients infected with the Ebola virus has not yet been conducted, and further studies are required. Second, favipiravir has a risk for teratogenicity and embryotoxicity. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor of Japan has approved this medication with strict regulations for its production and clinical use. However, owing to the emerging Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, on August 15, 2014, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Labor of Japan approved the use of favipiravir, if needed. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-3)

scholarly journals Integrative modelling for One Health: pattern, process and participation

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1725) ◽  
pp. 20160164 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Scoones ◽  
K. Jones ◽  
G. Lo Iacono ◽  
D. W. Redding ◽  
A. Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
One Health ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Process Pattern ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
To Come ◽  
Health Agenda ◽  
Modelling Approach

This paper argues for an integrative modelling approach for understanding zoonoses disease dynamics, combining process, pattern and participatory models. Each type of modelling provides important insights, but all are limited. Combining these in a ‘3P’ approach offers the opportunity for a productive conversation between modelling efforts, contributing to a ‘One Health’ agenda. The aim is not to come up with a composite model, but seek synergies between perspectives, encouraging cross-disciplinary interactions. We illustrate our argument with cases from Africa, and in particular from our work on Ebola virus and Lassa fever virus. Combining process-based compartmental models with macroecological data offers a spatial perspective on potential disease impacts. However, without insights from the ground, the ‘black box’ of transmission dynamics, so crucial to model assumptions, may not be fully understood. We show how participatory modelling and ethnographic research of Ebola and Lassa fever can reveal social roles, unsafe practices, mobility and movement and temporal changes in livelihoods. Together with longer-term dynamics of change in societies and ecologies, all can be important in explaining disease transmission, and provide important complementary insights to other modelling efforts. An integrative modelling approach therefore can offer help to improve disease control efforts and public health responses. This article is part of the themed issue ‘One Health for a changing world: zoonoses, ecosystems and human well-being’.

scholarly journals An Overview of Ebola Virus Disease

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
Nazia Haque ◽  
Md Shafikul Bari ◽  
Md Akram Hossain ◽  
Shakila Haque ◽  
Taslima Yasmin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Central Nervous System Involvement ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Oral Rehydration Therapy ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Oral Rehydration ◽  
Risk Of Death

Ebola virus is an aggressive pathogen that causes a highly lethal hemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans and nonhuman primates. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is characterized by the sudden onset of fever and malaise accompanied by other nonspecific signs and symptoms such as myalgia, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Among EVD patients, 30%-50% experience hemorrhagic symptoms. In severe and fatal forms, multi organ dysfunction including hepatic damage, renal failure, and central nervous system involvement occur, leading to shock and death. The wildlife reservoir has not been definitively ascertained; however evidence supports fruit bats as one reservoir. The virus initially spreads to the human population after contact with infected wildlife and is then spread person-to-person through direct contact with body fluids. The incubation period is 2-21 days. Prevention includes decreasing the spread of disease from infected animals humans. Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may also be helpful. Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution. There is currently no antiviral therapy or vaccine that is effective against Ebola virus infection in humans. Efforts to help those who are infected are supportive and include giving either oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids. The disease has a high risk of death, mortality between 50% and 90% of those infected with the virus. CBMJ 2016 January: Vol. 05 No. 01 P: 50-54

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