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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 30, 2014 2:30 PM IST
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Wednesday approved a measure to place under a 21-day supervised isolation regimen all military service members returning from Ebola response efforts in West Africa. According to a Pentagon statement, the order will apply to all military services that are contributing personnel to the fight against Ebola at its source, Xinhua reported. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
Hagel has also ordered the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a detailed implementation plan within 15 days for his review. In addition, Hagel directed that the Joint Chiefs conduct a review of this new regimen within 45 days from now. The review will offer a recommendation on whether or not such controlled monitoring should continue based on what they learn and observe from the initial waves of personnel returning from the Ebola mission. (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola)
Earlier, US President Barack Obama defended the government's new directives regarding monitoring of people who have been exposed to the Ebola virus, asking the public not to let themselves be influenced by 'fear', since progress is being made in halting the spread of the disease. (Read: Quarantine for Ebola what is it?)
Why Ebola virus is mutating rapidly?
A recent research related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) states that the Ebola virus is rapidly mutating, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. A study conducted on the initial patients being infected with the virus in Sierra Leone revealed more than 400 genetic modifications of the Ebola virus, which might prove detrimental for the ongoing treatment measures but also to the vaccines that are under clinical trials for future treatment of the Ebola virus.
The Researchers at the Broad Institute in Massachusetts and Harvard University warn that the Ebola virus is constantly undergoing mutation. The findings show that the future treatment options including vaccines as well as diagnosing of the disease will be very difficult and less effective as mutations will continue. As of now, the researchers have analysed around 99 Ebola viral genomes. Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in March, more than 1550 people have died of the Ebola virus disease. Earlier in August (24th), a new viral strain of the Ebola virus different from the one being observed in West Africa was detected in those from Democratic Republic of Congo, posing threat to million of lives all over the world. Read more about Ebola virus is mutating rapidly say scientists
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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