What was the first strain of Ebola virus?

In 1976, Ebola (named after the Ebola River in Zaire) first emerged in Sudan and Zaire. The first outbreak of Ebola (Ebola-Sudan) infected over 284 people, with a mortality rate of 53%. A few months later, the second Ebola virus emerged from Yambuku, Zaire, Ebola-Zaire (EBOZ).

What is the carrier for Ebola?

Fruit bats are thought to be the host and carriers of Ebola virus and the virus affects both human and non-human primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas. The virus is present in the bat saliva which contaminates fruit.

How is PCR used to diagnose Ebola?

The current standard to confirm Ebola infection is RT-PCR for detection of Ebola viral RNA. The preferred specimen is blood in a purple- top tube, although a red-top tube can also be used. Other tests listed on the slide are rarely, if ever, used to make decisions in the ETU. One test is virus isolation.

Is Ebola a BSL-2 agent?

The potential exposure of the laboratory technician resulted from the inadvertent transfer of potentially live Ebola virus from one of CDC’s high containment biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories to a lower biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory, where the laboratory technician processed the material.

Can the Ebola virus be handled in a BSL-2 lab?

Conclusion. Our BSL-2 facility in Lagos, Nigeria, was able to safely detect Ebola virus disease using molecular techniques, supporting the reliability of molecular detection of highly infectious viral pathogens under stringent safety guidelines in BSL-2 laboratories.

What is a BSL 3 lab?

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)​ BSL-3 laboratories are used to study infectious agents or toxins that may be transmitted through the air and cause potentially lethal infections. Researchers perform all experiments in a biosafety cabinet. BSL-3 laboratories are designed to be easily decontaminated.