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Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 21, 2014 14:24:04 GMT
U.S. hospital to discharge doctor treated with experimental Ebola drug
(Reuters) - An American doctor who contracted Ebola treating victims of the deadly virus in Liberia has recovered and will be discharged on Thursday by the Atlanta hospital that treated him with an experimental drug, his charity said.
Dr. Kent Brantly of Texas was given ZMapp, a drug used on a handful of patients in the West African outbreak and produced by U.S.-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical.
Brantly, 33, is expected to speak at a news conference on Thursday at Emory University Hospital, where he and U.S. missionary Nancy Writebol have been treated since being evacuated from Liberia earlier this month.
The hospital said it would discuss the discharge of both patients.
Brantly will leave Emory's hospital after the news conference, a spokesman for the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse said. No timetable was given for Writebol, 59, of Charlotte, North Carolina, who also has been treated with ZMapp.
"I have marveled at Dr. Brantly’s courageous spirit as he has fought this horrible virus with the help of the highly competent and caring staff at Emory University Hospital," Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, said in a statement.
The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that 2,473 people have been infected and 1,350 have died since the Ebola outbreak was identified in remote southeastern Guinea in March.
It said that no cases of the disease had been confirmed outside of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria despite cases having been suspected elsewhere.
A senior health official in Togo said on Thursday that two suspected cases, including a sailor from the Philippines, were being tested for the virus.
Three African doctors, also treated with ZMapp in Liberia, have shown remarkable signs of improvement, Liberian Information Minister Lewis Brown told Reuters on Tuesday.
Mapp says its supplies of the drug have been exhausted.
Wonderful news! We certainly need some!
What happens next? Will ZMapp Be allowed to produce this vaccine now?
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Post by annabella on Aug 21, 2014 14:40:21 GMT
I'm so happy they are healed! I wonder if they will now ship that treatment to AFrica?
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307 
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Post by scrappinghappy on Aug 21, 2014 15:48:42 GMT
I'm so happy they are healed! I wonder if they will now ship that treatment to AFrica? Let's hope so. They just put one of the poorest areas in Liberia (West Point, which is a slum area in Monrovia) under "quarantine" because there are apparently a lot of cases in the area. The basically barricaded the people in with barbed wire fences and soldiers with guns. |
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Aug 21, 2014 15:50:21 GMT
I just watched the news conference. Fantastic!
I hope they can get these treatments to others who need it.
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Post by scrapqueen01 on Aug 21, 2014 16:31:17 GMT
A lady at my church has a granddaughter who is a nurse at Emory. She began working in the infectious disease area of the hospital. The protocol the staff go through when working that area is unreal. Before entering they have to take a shower and put on special clothes. When they leave the area for lunches or breaks they undress and take another shower. The clothes they wore is then burned. She said they take 4 or more showers a day. Only the best and most skilled nurses are asked to work there.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 4:26:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 16:36:21 GMT
Wonderful news. I highly doubt that the drug will be released anytime soon though. It has a ton more testing to undergo if I remember correctly.
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Aug 21, 2014 16:42:49 GMT
I'm so happy they are healed! I wonder if they will now ship that treatment to AFrica? Not likely at this time, in the OP Mapp said it's supply was exhausted. Can't send what you don't have. |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,948
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Post by peppermintpatty on Aug 21, 2014 16:49:31 GMT
I read that. That is wonderful. I am really glad they are okay. I wish they had enough to help others but this is at least a step in the right direction.
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Post by lovetodigi on Aug 21, 2014 16:52:05 GMT
Along with that drug, he also received blood from a 14 year old who recovered from Ebola. They have said that they think that may have helped his recovery. He is certainly doing better than the woman that is here and she received two doses of the med. I am glad that he will get to be with his family today.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 21, 2014 17:08:28 GMT
Wonderful news. I highly doubt that the drug will be released anytime soon though. It has a ton more testing to undergo if I remember correctly. Beyond whatever testing is left, I'm sure this drug isn't a money maker, unfortunately. It's primary need is in poor countries that could never afford such a drug. It would be my hope that the drug maker would make this drug though - and do it because it's needed and not from the money aspect of things. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 4:26:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 17:10:00 GMT
Wonderful news. I highly doubt that the drug will be released anytime soon though. It has a ton more testing to undergo if I remember correctly. Beyond whatever testing is left, I'm sure this drug isn't a money maker, unfortunately. It's primary need is in poor countries that could never afford such a drug. It would be my hope that the drug maker would make this drug though - and do it because it's needed and not from the money aspect of things. I agree completely. But I believe pharma companies should mainly be non profit. Not a popular stance but it is my opinion. |
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 21, 2014 17:12:55 GMT
Beyond whatever testing is left, I'm sure this drug isn't a money maker, unfortunately. It's primary need is in poor countries that could never afford such a drug. It would be my hope that the drug maker would make this drug though - and do it because it's needed and not from the money aspect of things. I agree completely. But I believe pharma companies should mainly be non profit. Not a popular stance but it is my opinion. I completely agree with you! |
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Aug 21, 2014 17:26:18 GMT
Beyond whatever testing is left, I'm sure this drug isn't a money maker, unfortunately. It's primary need is in poor countries that could never afford such a drug. It would be my hope that the drug maker would make this drug though - and do it because it's needed and not from the money aspect of things. I agree completely. But I believe pharma companies should mainly be non profit. Not a popular stance but it is my opinion. In theory maybe, but in practice we would then have to rely on government and elected officials who fall to the whims of their parties to fund it, and the fact remains that there are enough anti-vaxers out there right now as to likely really prevent any actual development of drugs that would benefit our society. Money is the driving force for this. Can you imagine where would be if we had to rely on the US voters to pay for something like HIV medications? Or birth control pills? Or things like the HPV vaccine? It would *never* happen. It would never be funded. And scientists would be stuck working at the whims of Americans who think their religious morals should apply to everyone everywhere. I don't think big pharma is the perfect solution, but I think going any other route would be a disaster in terms of innovation and progress. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 4:26:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 17:31:53 GMT
I agree completely. But I believe pharma companies should mainly be non profit. Not a popular stance but it is my opinion. In theory maybe, but in practice we would then have to rely on government and elected officials who fall to the whims of their parties to fund it, and the fact remains that there are enough anti-vaxers out there right now as to likely really prevent any actual development of drugs that would benefit our society. Money is the driving force for this. Can you imagine where would be if we had to rely on the US voters to pay for something like HIV medications? Or birth control pills? Or things like the HPV vaccine? It would *never* happen. It would never be funded. And scientists would be stuck working at the whims of Americans who think their religious morals should apply to everyone everywhere. I don't think big pharma is the perfect solution, but I think going any other route would be a disaster in terms of innovation and progress. Non profit doesn't mean government run. |
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Aug 21, 2014 17:40:03 GMT
In theory maybe, but in practice we would then have to rely on government and elected officials who fall to the whims of their parties to fund it, and the fact remains that there are enough anti-vaxers out there right now as to likely really prevent any actual development of drugs that would benefit our society. Money is the driving force for this. Can you imagine where would be if we had to rely on the US voters to pay for something like HIV medications? Or birth control pills? Or things like the HPV vaccine? It would *never* happen. It would never be funded. And scientists would be stuck working at the whims of Americans who think their religious morals should apply to everyone everywhere. I don't think big pharma is the perfect solution, but I think going any other route would be a disaster in terms of innovation and progress. Non profit doesn't mean government run. No, but it does mean non-profit. And that means relying on others to fund you. To make drugs that cost millions of dollars. Who would pay for that? Look at how crazy it has to get to fund research for things? Pink washing. Etc. Fund raising efforts to make a drug that in any way has anything to do with "sex" and you could forget about it in the US. |
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Post by Anna*Banana on Aug 21, 2014 18:38:05 GMT
I heard an epidemiologist speak, wish I could remember his name, several weeks ago. And he felt the reason the mortality rate was so high was due to the lack of immediate supportive medical care. Compound that with lack of education in the poor and rural areas and it's a recipe for this. If they could get to the victims quickly, quarantine them with really good supportive care there would be a much much better survival rate. I'm not sure how you fix those things, though. Billions of dollars have been poured in to Africa to help and it seems to only be improving at a glacial pace, if at all in some areas.  |
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Post by gossamer on Aug 21, 2014 18:41:28 GMT
I know nothing about Ebola. Could he be contagious even after he is healed?
Wasn't there another doctor that went to California hospital and died?
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Aug 21, 2014 18:43:25 GMT
I heard an epidemiologist speak, wish I could remember his name, several weeks ago. And he felt the reason the mortality rate was so high was due to the lack of immediate supportive medical care. Compound that with lack of education in the poor and rural areas and it's a recipe for this. If they could get to the victims quickly, quarantine them with really good supportive care there would be a much much better survival rate. I'm not sure how you fix those things, though. Billions of dollars have been poured in to Africa to help and it seems to only be improving at a glacial pace, if at all in some areas. It's so incredibly complex, I would love to know who you heard if you can think of it! The money is only as good as the understanding of culture and awareness and education. So much of our problem lies in the fact that Africa is a large continent, full of various groups of people with thousands of cultures and languages and understandings of the world. And we consistently want to put our western stamp on things and it just doesn't work like that. The time taken and involving local leadership, is so vital and in a time of crisis, when time is what you don't have it spells disaster. It's really awful.  |
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Post by Anna*Banana on Aug 21, 2014 18:56:54 GMT
I heard an epidemiologist speak, wish I could remember his name, several weeks ago. And he felt the reason the mortality rate was so high was due to the lack of immediate supportive medical care. Compound that with lack of education in the poor and rural areas and it's a recipe for this. If they could get to the victims quickly, quarantine them with really good supportive care there would be a much much better survival rate. I'm not sure how you fix those things, though. Billions of dollars have been poured in to Africa to help and it seems to only be improving at a glacial pace, if at all in some areas. It's so incredibly complex, I would love to know who you heard if you can think of it! The money is only as good as the understanding of culture and awareness and education. So much of our problem lies in the fact that Africa is a large continent, full of various groups of people with thousands of cultures and languages and understandings of the world. And we consistently want to put our western stamp on things and it just doesn't work like that. The time taken and involving local leadership, is so vital and in a time of crisis, when time is what you don't have it spells disaster. It's really awful. I think everyone gets being culturally sensitive and to be able to work within other cultures, but I think when it comes to world health and or disease epidemics? I think it's time to step in... And I will admit I do bristle when corrupt nations complain about the help they are receiving. If you want help, don't want the "western stamp" of doing it, then you better take the HUGE help you are given and actually help your people. Because I've been to Africa... I've seen the corruption and I know what kind of money goes in to at least 2 specific areas and how so little of it gets to the people that need it because of the corruption. But that's all a different discussion. It just really bothers me because I saw in with my own eyes. ETA: The 3 nations I traveled in while in Africa. Not all countries within Africa are the same. :-) |
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Aug 21, 2014 19:07:25 GMT
It's so incredibly complex, I would love to know who you heard if you can think of it! The money is only as good as the understanding of culture and awareness and education. So much of our problem lies in the fact that Africa is a large continent, full of various groups of people with thousands of cultures and languages and understandings of the world. And we consistently want to put our western stamp on things and it just doesn't work like that. The time taken and involving local leadership, is so vital and in a time of crisis, when time is what you don't have it spells disaster. It's really awful. I think everyone gets being culturally sensitive and to be able to work within other cultures, but I think when it comes to world health and or disease epidemics? I think it's time to step in... And I will admit I do bristle when corrupt nations complain about the help they are receiving. If you want help, don't want the "western stamp" of doing it, then you better take the HUGE help you are given and actually help your people. Because I've been to Africa... I've seen the corruption and I know what kind of money goes in to at least 2 specific areas and how so little of it gets to the people that need it because of the corruption. But that's all a different discussion. It just really bothers me because I saw in with my own eyes. ETA: The 3 nations I traveled in while in Africa. Not all countries within Africa are the same. :-) I don't disagree with you that when a global threat of disease is happening, the more important issue is to stop it, but it doesn't negate the fact that it is a large part of what slows the process. You can't just expect people to suddenly decide you know best and that you are helping. Good god we can't even do that here, go take a look at the HPV vaccine thread as an example. People don't trust science, doctors, they believe crazy theories, they listen to celebrities, they make arguments for and against medical treatment without any credible sources to support their claims and reasons and beliefs. And those who do want to know more are given mixed messages and have to try and sort it out for themselves on google. Which is just damn confusing. (For example one time years back I wanted to research the effect of soy on girls and puberty before I had access to journals. The first several pages of hits when you started digging were all sites supported by the soy industry, and thusly all the information was positive and healthy and "everything is awesome!") And then look at how all the different regions of the US respond and think about these types of things. We are big and spread out, but at least under one government that isn't corrupt (as corrupt as those I'm sure you've seen). Basically all I'm saying is that it is no surprise that when you add in unfamiliar faces, science that flies in the face of their religious beliefs and cultural beliefs and understandings that you get really poor response. We can stomp our feet and insist we are right, and we may very well be, but that doesn't mean they will listen. Any more than anyone in the US does. It's just a huge uphill battle. |
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Post by Anna*Banana on Aug 21, 2014 19:36:54 GMT
I think everyone gets being culturally sensitive and to be able to work within other cultures, but I think when it comes to world health and or disease epidemics? I think it's time to step in... And I will admit I do bristle when corrupt nations complain about the help they are receiving. If you want help, don't want the "western stamp" of doing it, then you better take the HUGE help you are given and actually help your people. Because I've been to Africa... I've seen the corruption and I know what kind of money goes in to at least 2 specific areas and how so little of it gets to the people that need it because of the corruption. But that's all a different discussion. It just really bothers me because I saw in with my own eyes. ETA: The 3 nations I traveled in while in Africa. Not all countries within Africa are the same. :-) I don't disagree with you that when a global threat of disease is happening, the more important issue is to stop it, but it doesn't negate the fact that it is a large part of what slows the process. You can't just expect people to suddenly decide you know best and that you are helping. Good god we can't even do that here, go take a look at the HPV vaccine thread as an example. People don't trust science, doctors, they believe crazy theories, they listen to celebrities, they make arguments for and against medical treatment without any credible sources to support their claims and reasons and beliefs. And those who do want to know more are given mixed messages and have to try and sort it out for themselves on google. Which is just damn confusing. (For example one time years back I wanted to research the effect of soy on girls and puberty before I had access to journals. The first several pages of hits when you started digging were all sites supported by the soy industry, and thusly all the information was positive and healthy and "everything is awesome!") And then look at how all the different regions of the US respond and think about these types of things. We are big and spread out, but at least under one government that isn't corrupt (as corrupt as those I'm sure you've seen). Basically all I'm saying is that it is no surprise that when you add in unfamiliar faces, science that flies in the face of their religious beliefs and cultural beliefs and understandings that you get really poor response. We can stomp our feet and insist we are right, and we may very well be, but that doesn't mean they will listen. Any more than anyone in the US does. It's just a huge uphill battle. Oh yeah.... I hear you. I'm going to get all political here.  This is where having good borders helps. But what do you do? Really? They can't just be allowed to continue on and infect everyone else in the world just because... I have no answers except this is one of the reasons we need better border control. |
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Aug 21, 2014 19:40:43 GMT
A lady at my church has a granddaughter who is a nurse at Emory. She began working in the infectious disease area of the hospital. The protocol the staff go through when working that area is unreal. Before entering they have to take a shower and put on special clothes. When they leave the area for lunches or breaks they undress and take another shower. The clothes they wore is then burned. She said they take 4 or more showers a day. Only the best and most skilled nurses are asked to work there. Your friend must be so proud of her daughter! Thank goodness for the brave men and women who risk their own lives to care for others. I hope that ZMapp will be produced in larger numbers and sent to Africa to help them contain this outbreak. It is terrifying that there has been no concerted, unified effort from the world to help stem this disease at the source. The poor citizens who are in the affected areas must be terrified. |
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Post by gossamer on Aug 21, 2014 20:50:26 GMT
I know nothing about Ebola. Could he be contagious even after he is healed? Wasn't there another doctor that went to California hospital and died? No, once you are healed, you are healed. Besides, there is a reason a former recovered ebola patient of his wanted to donate his own blood to the doctor. Their blood then likely contains anti-bodies.
Plus the number one reason I know he is not contagious. Emory released him. They have too much to risk to take unwarranted chances.
I believe there was another medical dr. that contracted ebola and passed away at a CA hospital. The effective "cure" rate is 40-10%. He would be in the other 60-90%. It is still a very serious virus that will continue to kill many.
Good to know, didn't know if he could be a carrier even if he was healed. |
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,955
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Aug 21, 2014 21:05:15 GMT
I just read an article that said the two workers could even go back to Africa if they chose, as they would now be immune to this strain of Ebola. I can't imagine wanting to, but that's me. I guess the other patient, Nancy was released on Tuesday. link |
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This is where having good borders helps. But what do you do? Really? They can't just be allowed to continue on and infect everyone else in the world just because... I have no answers except this is one of the reasons we need better border control. 
