Scientists in China have made new discoveries to counter Ebola virus, forging hope towards finding a cure for the killer Ebola Virus disease (EVD).
In a latest research paper published by scientific journal Cell, scientists have provided details about how Ebola virus enters human cells, and the duration for which it can survive within the said cells.
Research team was led by Gao Fu, researcher at Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Gao Fu is confident that conclusions from the research shall enable them to develop a fitting drug.
According to World Health Organization, Ebola virus causes a fatal illness in humans. Initially, it is transmitted to humans through animals. Once transmitted, it spreads fast through human transmission. The average fatality rate is tagged at 50 percent, but it has also been known to vary from 20-90 percent. So far, no official drug has been effective in dealing with this disease, as the medications used by the hospitals against Ebola virus mainly relieves symptoms caused by EVD. According to other reports, however, there's one successful drug that was developed by the Canadian company MSD to cure Ebola virus.
Meanwhile, according to China Daily, the latest research by China points out that Ebola virus can only survive inside the cell of a victim. It could also remain within the sperm of male survivors for up to nine months.
CCTV mentions that an endosomal protein called NPC1 has been identified as an entry receptor for Ebola virus; however, trigger of virus' fusion process is yet to be solved. Speaking to CCTV, Gao Fu mentioned that based on their study, researchers were now in a position to develop a small molecule or inhibitors which would target fusion trigger. This would prevent Ebola's entry into a human cell.
This concept of prohibiting a virus from entering a human cell has been used before. It has proved to be especially effective in developing drugs like Tamiflu, which is used against H1N1 influenza virus.