After capturing the world’s imagination in Michael Preston’s book The Hot Zone, and the Hollywood film Outbreak, Ebola has remained a specter in the international media. While much of the hype that surrounds this pathogen is just that, there is also legitimate concern for the danger that this ferocious pathogen presents. Despite all of the attention, there are still huge gaps in our knowledge of Ebola. Along with the obvious danger from natural and nosocomial outbreaks, made even more unpredictable in an age of rapid global transport, there is also the possibility of a biological attack using Ebola or a similar agent. While the end of the Cold War lowered our guard against the possibility of such an event, recent events lend themselves to the suggestion that all we can do is hope for the best, while preparing for the worst. We have made this website in order to provide a comprehensive overview of how the Ebola virus is able to infect its hosts so efficiently, as well as showcase recent developments towards the goal of developing an efficacious human vaccine. |
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