WINNIPEG, Manitoba -
Scientists in Winnipeg believe they've developed a drug treatment for the deadly Ebola virus that in animal testing is 100 percent effective if used within 24 hours of contact, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.
"We are thrilled, the entire team," Dr. Gary Kobinger, lead researcher of a group of about a dozen scientists at Winnipeg's National Microbiology Laboratory, told the paper Wednesday.
The team has been working to find a treatment for the Ebola virus for about five years, and the Free Press said they thought the approach they used with Ebola could be used to treat other deadly viruses.
According to the paper, the scientists isolated antibodies to the virus in mice and developed an easy-to-manufacture treatment that was tested on monkeys. While extremely effective if used 24 hours after contact, it was also shown in some cases to be effective up to 48 hours later.
The current treatment is only effective when used within 30 minutes.
The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of those with Ebola and so far has been confined mainly to central Africa. There is no vaccination against Ebola.
Read more: Winnipeg Free Press
