For the research, scientists sampled deceased Ebola-infected monkeys. The outcome is that the virus remains capable of causing infection for at least seven days. Moreover, the virus remains capable of potential replication, although not infectious, for up to 70 days post-mortem.
To collect the information, researchers collected and tested samples from five deceased macaques used in Ebola virus studies. To assess the viability of the virus, the researchers placed the bodies in a specially designed chamber that simulated the environmental conditions in West Africa. At regular intervals, samples were taken and some key body organs were removed. Next, the level of live Ebola virus and viral RNA was measured. This series of tests revealed the ability of Ebola to survive for a long period after the host had died.
The significance of the research is that it provides important information about the handling of corpses and the importance of body disposal (where incineration remains the most effective method and will destroy the virus.) The research also offers a cautionary note for healthcare scientists who might attempt to take samples from deceased bodies.
The research was conducted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The findings have been published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. The research is titled “Postmortem Stability of Ebola Virus.”
In related news, it appears that the rate of infections from Ebola is in decline. The current rate of Ebola is that there have been fewer than 100 new cases per week in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. It is for this reason that a number of drug companies have put a stop to new Ebola treatment drug trials.
