Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Published : October 31, 2014 1:12 PM IST
The current Ebola diagnostic test takes about six hours to produce results. And, six hours is a huge amount of time for a deadly virus like Ebola to deteriorate the condition of the patient. Overcoming this hurdle, France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) had announced the development of a 15-minute test for Ebola diagnosis, which was awaiting effective lab results. Today, the researchers mentioned that the test has been proven to be effective in their laboratory trials. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
Researchers are now set to conduct trials with prototype Ebola diagnostic tests in Guinea in November. According to the head of France's Ebola task force, the results of the trial would be ready within weeks. The experiments will be carried out by volunteers of the organisation Doctors Without Borders under the supervision of experts from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola)
The diagnostic kit is based on the principle that monoclonal antibodies react in the presence of virus present in a tiny sample. If the virus is present in a drop of blood, plasma or urine, a positive result could be seen as a small strip on the hand held tool, just like the result seen in a pregnancy test. A European pharma company Vedalab is turning it into a user-friendly kit called Ebola eZYSCREEN. (Read: Quarantine for Ebola what is it?)
How the Ebola virus spreads in humans?
It spreads through infected body fluids: Ebola spreads from one infected person to the other through direct contact of the skin and other bodily fluids. The virus is present in the body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, semen, sweat, urine, saliva, feaces, vomit, etc. If a healthy person comes in contact with the infected body fluids that enters his system through open wounds, blood transfusions or through the eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, genital area, it can infect an individual within a span of two to 21 days depending on the severity of the viral attack. Having unsafe sex with an infected person also can lead to the viral infection.
It can spread by using infected needles and other contaminated objects: This is obvious as infected needles and other contaminated objects might have remnants of infected body fluids. If this gets into the system of a healthy individual, it can spread the deadly disease rapidly.
It can spread through infected animals: Medical experts and researchers believe that Ebola was first transferred into humans through animals. However it has not yet been ascertained which animal could have led to the spread of the epidemic in humans. To avoid further contamination through animals it is advised to avoid eating uncooked meat, as one might run the risk of getting infected with the virus from an infected animal.
Photo source: Getty images
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