If You Get Reston Ebola, Are You Immune from Regular Ebola?
Will Reston Ebola make you safe from African Ebola?
The Ebola virus, also known as Ebolavirus, is a highly contagious virus that is primarily spread through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, semen, and breast milk. There are five known species of Ebola virus: Zaire, Sudan, Tai Forest, Bundibugyo, and Reston. In this blog post, we will explore the question of whether immunizing with Reston virus could protect against infection with other species of Ebola virus.
Introduction
The Ebola virus is a serious public health concern and understanding its transmission patterns is crucial in order to effectively control and prevent its spread. Many people have been asking whether immunizing with Reston virus could protect against infection with other species of Ebola virus, due to the fact that Reston virus does not cause disease in humans. However, there are several reasons why a Reston virus vaccine is not a good idea.
Outline
- The small number of confirmed human infections with Reston virus
- The lack of cross-protection between different species of Ebola virus
- Current vaccines being tested against Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus)
In this blog post, we will discuss these reasons in detail and provide a better understanding of the limitations of a Reston virus vaccine as a potential solution for preventing infection with other species of Ebola virus.
The Small Number of Confirmed Human Infections with Reston Virus
There have been very few confirmed human infections with Reston virus (4 according to Fields Virology 6th Edition), and although these individuals did not show signs of disease, the number is too small to make any conclusions. For example, if the case fatality ratio of Reston virus in humans were 1%, we might not have yet seen any deaths due to the small number of confirmed infections. However, if we were to immunize a million people with a Reston virus vaccine, and the case fatality ratio were 1%, there would be 10,000 deaths, obviously an unacceptable rate for a vaccine. As the virus causes disease in nonhuman primates, and there are so few human infections, it is not possible to know the case fatality ratio.
It is important to note that the small number of confirmed human infections with Reston virus does not provide enough information to determine the safety and efficacy of a Reston virus vaccine. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude that a Reston virus vaccine would protect against infection with other species of Ebola virus.
The Lack of Cross-Protection Between Different Species of Ebola Virus
The other problem is that in general, infection with one of the Ebolaviruses does not confer protection against the others. For example, animals that survive challenge with Ebola virus (Zaire) are not protected from infection with Sudan virus. For this reason, vaccines need to be prepared against representatives of all the species. I am not aware of any animal studies that have assessed whether Reston virus infection protects from infection with the other Ebolaviruses, but there is no reason to believe that such cross-protection would be achieved.
It is important to note that just because a person has been infected with one species of Ebola virus, it does not mean they will be immune to other species. Therefore, it is not likely that a Reston virus vaccine would provide protection against other species of Ebola virus.
Current Vaccines Being Tested Against Ebola Virus (Species Zaire Ebolavirus)
Vaccines are currently being tested against Ebola virus (species Zaire ebolavirus), the cause of the outbreak in West Africa. These vaccines have shown promising results in animal studies and are now being tested in human clinical trials. It is important to continue researching and developing vaccines for all species of Ebola virus in order to have a more comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling outbreaks.
In conclusion, a Reston virus vaccine is not a viable solution for preventing infection with other species of Ebola virus. Due to the small number of confirmed human infections with Reston virus and the lack of cross-protection between different species of Ebola virus, it is not possible to conclude that a Reston virus vaccine would be safe and effective. It is important to continue researching and developing vaccines for all species of Ebola virus in order to have a more comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling outbreaks.
The Importance of Further Research
It is important to note that this is not to say that research on Reston virus should not be conducted. As stated earlier, there have been very few confirmed human infections with Reston virus and more research is needed to understand the virus and its potential impact on human health. However, when it comes to a vaccine, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the virus and its potential effects on human health before creating and administering a vaccine.
Additionally, it is also important to note that the Ebola virus is not the only virus that causes hemorrhagic fever. There are other viruses such as Marburg virus and Lassa fever virus which cause similar symptoms and have similar transmission patterns. Hence, it is important to not limit our research and vaccine development efforts to just one species of Ebola, but to also consider other related viruses.
In summary, while the Reston virus may not cause disease in humans, there is currently not enough evidence to support the development of a vaccine for it as a means of protecting against other species of Ebola virus. Further research is needed to understand the virus and its potential impact on human health. It is important to continue researching and developing vaccines for all species of Ebola and related viruses in order to have a more comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling outbreaks.
