Ebola Transmissibility

[BestlaStormcrow]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

On the basis of the above study, it would seem that virus is most prevalent in saliva. If so could this represent the primary transmission fluid, with stools as the second largest problem?

That would argue for a greater transmission risk in any situation where spittle might fly - kissing as well as coughing and sneezing via droplet transmission. Even standing too close to an infected person talking? Infected spittle landing on another person could easily reach hands and from there, mucous membranes if hands touch faces or rub eyes, even if it is less than likely to be inhaled.

I have seen a few news stories talking about how this outbreak started, as in animal reservoirs, mentioning saliva on partially-eaten fruit dropped by fruit bats, then eaten by humans being one possibility. Which got me googling...

Here's a quote from one study:
While feeding bats drop partially eaten fruit and masticated fruit pulp (spats) to the ground, possibly promoting indirect transmission of Ebola virus to certain ground dwelling mammals, if virus is being shed in saliva by chronically and asymptomatically infected bats. Great apes and forest duikers are particularly sensitive to lethal Ebola virus infection. These terrestrial mammals feed on fallen fruits and possibly spats, suggesting a chain of events leading to Ebola virus spillover to these incidental hosts. This chain of events may occur sporadically at different sites and times depending on a combination of the phenology of fruit production by different trees, animal behavior, and various, but as yet still unknown environmental factors, which could include drought. During the reproductive period, infected body fluid can also be shed in the environment and present a potential risk for indirect transmission to other vertebrates. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17848072

Just wondering with the media downplay of saliva (droplets) as a mode of transmission, what has changed since the findings in 2007? Is fruit bat saliva more infectious than human? Does the current strain of ebolavirus not 'like' human saliva somehow?

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

.....Just wondering with the media downplay of saliva (droplets) as a mode of transmission, what has changed since the findings in 2007? Is fruit bat saliva more infectious than human? Does the current strain of ebolavirus not 'like' human saliva somehow?

I think the "media" and their "experts" are simply not fully informed. I've heard far too much inaccurate information by medical professionals who have probably never had to consider all the ebola details outside of diagnosis and treatment.

That chart needs to be published outside of FT.

.

 

[gsgs]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

it still has to bind to the cells in the respiratory tract and penetrate
the mucous layers

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

Ebola is highly infectious, and it takes very few virions for infection (as few as 10). I dont think mucosal binding is the issue here.

 

[BestlaStormcrow]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

it still has to bind to the cells in the respiratory tract and penetrate
the mucous layers

I'm thinking more in terms of droplets of saliva on a surface being transferred to someone. Like handling or eating a fruit bat contaminated fruit, as mentioned in the abstract I quoted.

Given the low number of virions to be infectious, maybe people don't need to worry so much about being sneezed on by an ebola patient. Maybe saliva contaminated objects and surfaces are a bigger factor than currently discussed. Shared utensils even?

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Ebola Transmissibility

Envision how many children put their thumbs, fingers, etc. in their mouths.

.