This one provides a critical look at the gaping holes in our governments knowledge of ebola, asking many of the same questions that have been raised on FR.
Source:
http://singtomeohmuse.com/viewtopic.php?t=5725&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=4170&sid=2a089aa8af2f8b12666d3ac9f2526703
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4644486179fe1388a4c395d0d0527b5e&tab=core&_cview=0
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
HDTRA1-15-EBOLA-BAA
CHEMICAL / BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES DEPARTMENT
FY2015 – FY2016 Program Build
24 OCTOBER 2014
excrept
2.2.4. Ebola Characterization
The means by which Ebola virus is maintained in nature remains unclear. One reservoir of this zoonotic pathogen is believed to be in bats, but it is unknown what other natural reservoirs exist. Distinct Ebola viral sequences have been identified in infected but healthy mice and shrews. (Pourrut et al., 2005) indicating there may be other unknown reservoirs. A better understanding of Ebola persistence under a variety of environmental conditions may help us identify other possible reservoirs and hosts to research reservoirs and other modes of transmission. While current science indicates the disease can only be transmitted by contact with contaminated body fluids, it remains unclear if other transmission modes are feasible. Filoviruses are able to infect via the respiratory route and are lethal at very low doses in experimental animal models, however the infectious dose is unknown. There is minimal information on how well filoviruses survive within aerosolized particles, and in certain media like the biofilm of sewage systems. Preliminary studies indicate that Ebola is aerostable in an enclosed controlled system in the dark and can survive for long periods in different liquid media and can also be recovered from plastic and glass surfaces at low temperatures for over 3 weeks (Piercy, et al., 2010).
2.2.4.1. Topic: CBS-01, Determination and Understanding of Quantitative Infectious Dose
This topic explores the physical, biological and molecular interactions of Ebola and related filoviruses to determine which of these interactions play a key role in the determination and understanding of quantitative infectious dose. The focus is on proposed efforts that aid in determining how many viable virions are required to cause human illness. Efforts that combine both experimental and computational techniques to explore molecular and physiological interactions and biochemical pathways
2.2.4.2. Topic: CBS-02, Persistence and decay or survival rates in the Environment
The research should generate knowledge on Ebola persistence in the environment and knowledge to help predict potential mutations or changes to the viron. Studies should determine persistence and decay or survival rates of Ebola virus and other filoviruses in the environment. Research areas may include (but are not limited to):
* Assessment under a range of controlled environmental conditions, including, but not limited to the dark, simulated solar radiation, and ranges of temperature and humidity.
* Identification of environmental factors that contribute to persistence
* Assessing persistence of Ebola on fomites/ surfaces after aerosolization
* Assessing persistence in other media such as water, sewage biofilm, and other priority surfaces
2.2.4.3. Topic: CBS-03, Molecular Determinants for Persistence
This topic focuses on understanding the molecular determinants that govern the ecology and environmental persistence of filoviruses. The research should focus on the molecular identities and mechanisms that promote environmental persistence of filoviruses. Research areas may include (but are not limited to):
* Genomic and proteomic analyses to investigate the regulation of genes and proteins upon exposure to varying environmental conditions
* Use of phylogenetics to identify potential genes involved in environmental persistence
* Elucidation of mechanisms that contribute to environmental persistence
* Metagenomic analysis of potential reservoir environments
* Elucidation of mechanisms and environmental conditions that promote mutations in animal reservoirs
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Summarized nicely in Comments by Pixie PFIF:
So the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Chemical and Biological Defense Program is soliciting research/solutions for the following problems which it does not completely understand about Ebola Zaire including:
• how well do filoviruses survive within aerosolized particles?
• is an aerosol mode of transmission is feasible? (Filoviruses are able to infect via the respiratory tract)
• what is an effective infectious dose? how many viable virons are needed to cause human illness?
• what is the persistence of Ebola on fomites/ surfaces after aerosolization?
• what is the persistence of Ebola in water and sewage?
• is there a disinfecting technology that will prove effective against viral contamination either deposited as an aerosol or heavy contaminated combined with body fluids (e.g. blood, vomit, feces)
? So we don't know much about the virus' natural reservoirs, we don't know much about its aerosolization, we don't know much about how easily it infects or what level of infection causes illness in humans, we don't know how long its fomites or aerosolized particles persist, we don't know how long it survives in water and sewage, and we don't have complete knowledge of the best ways to disinfect either Ebola aerosols or areas heavily contaminated with bodily fluids.
We don't know much, and yet tomorrow President Obama, flanked by Frieden, Fauci, and Klain, will no doubt assure the country in dulcet tones that the Science is Sound and that anyone who does not believe that is a rube, purely a rube. If they as citizens do not have faith that Frieden and Fauci and the rest of the talking heads have it all in hand, have it ALL under control, through SCIENCE!!!, they are just unwashed ignoramuses. There will be a lot of noses in the air. (Wonder if nurse Kaci Hickox will make an appearance as Exhibit A?).
This will be unfurling even as DTRA, just days before, requested research and proposals meant to answer some pretty significant Ebola questions. And it wants those questions answered and those solutions found in time to be able to implement them during this unprecedented outbreak.
So DTRA says they don't know, but they're asking a lot of questions so that they will know, eventually.
The ideologues who are pushing social philosophy over science say they Know Science, they take its name in vain, and laugh at anyone who looks at them skeptically, like the bunch of medieval conjurers they are.
I'll throw in with DTRA. I prefer it when someone says they don't know if they don't know. That means they'll be careful and cautious. And I like careful and cautious when we're talking about Ebola.