Post
Topic
Board Politics & Society
Re: Anyone following the ebola outbreak?
by
NewLiberty
on 01/10/2014, 01:13:59 UTC
One unique and terrible feature of the epidemic is the fact that doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are getting infected and dying at an unprecedented rate. The WHO has reported, as of September 22, that 384 health-care workers have gotten the virus and 186 have died.

That means 198 doctors and nurses can now work directly with the infected without protective gear, since they are now immune.

I wasn't aware that one could be immune from the ebola virus.

Once you get infected and beat it (i.e. don't die) your body has the anti-bodies for it, and you become immune.  Smiley

384 workers got infected.  198 didn't die and are now immune.
There is apparently immunity from exposure and antibodies, it is not determined the length and effectiveness, but presumably it is pretty good.
There are also a few different known strains (and other hemmoragics), they haven't verified cross-immunity yet, but they may also be immune to other strains (or not).  Also reputedly negative blood types are somewhat less susceptible.