Experimental Drug Made from Tobacco Plant Found to be Effective Against Ebola Virus

An experimental drug made from tobacco plant has been found to be effective in curing the Ebola virus infection among two US aid workers.

An experimental drug made from tobacco plant has been found to be effective in curing the Ebola virus infection among two US aid workers, who were infected in Liberia, raising hopes that a cure may soon become a reality.

Sources revealed that within an hour of receiving the drug, one of the recipient's condition was "nearly reversed" and doctors have described the turnaround as "miraculous", Metro.co.uk reported.

Ebola Virus Disease | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.

Prof Martin Hibberd, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said that the drug ZMapp "mimics what happens during a natural infection and so can be seen as a relatively safe way of boosting natural responses".

However, he added that more work with patients still needs to be done.

The killer virus disease has claimed almost 900 lives in Guinea and even Liberia and Sierra Leone have seen a rise in infections.

Emergency 'All-Hands' Issued by CDC Calling for Ebola Response
Highest alert for an all-hands on deck response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa was issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday.

Source-ANI

Red Cross Chief Advises to Use Lessons of AIDS to Fight Ebola
The new global head of the Red Cross said on Wednesday that the world must learn from the fight against AIDS to help beat the deadliest-ever outbreak of Ebola.

Ethics Meeting Over Experimental Ebola Drug Called by WHO
An ethics meet to explore the use of experimental treatment in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was called for by WHO, they said on Wednesday.