By:Donald G. McNeil Jr.
Source: NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/06/health/ebola-immunity.html?ref=science&_r=0
Medical
experts have realized that some of the population in West Africa is immune to
the Ebola virus. If the medical experts are correct, they can get close to the
people that have the virus and help cure them without being infected. It is
still unclear how much the West Africans’ immune systems can take without other
viruses being produced and infecting them. There are now approximately 1,800
survivors of the current outbreak and that are immune to the virus. Studies
show that some victims also have antibodies. West Africans are also getting low
doses of the virus by eating infected monkeys or bats that are uncooked. It is difficult
to get blood samples to check the overall level of immunity in West Africa
because with one infected needle someone can be infected. Doctors came up with
a new solution that people that are immune to Ebola could donate blood that
contains antibodies to give to ill patients. This has been done to Dr. Kent
Brantly, one of the first two Americans who was infected by Ebola. He is a
survivor, but doctors later said that ZMapp or the blood transfusion has helped
him. There is no more ZMapp to use in West Africa so doctors are trying to find
new solutions to cure patients infected with Ebola.
Medical experts are trying to find new ways
for Ebola patients to be cured. This article is important to read because Ebola
is still out there and medical experts are trying their best to come up with
new ways for infected people to be cured. This has been a fatal disease, and people
should be aware of the virus because it might reach to where they live. People
should be cautious of the different viruses that can kill an innocent person,
especially Ebola. 
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