• David Fedson

    The three patients with severe Ebola virus disease (EVD) evacuated from West Africa to Atlanta and Hamburg experienced diarrhea, vomiting, intravascular volume depletion and severe electrolyte abnormalities. The external and internal fluid losses were due to a breakdown of gastrointestinal vascular integrity, but these patients survived with intensive supportive care. In contrast, almost all EVD patients in West Africa are treated only with oral rehydration solutions. Their chances of survival might be improved by treatment that restores vascular homeostasis, thus reducing EVD-associated fluid and electrolyte losses. Statins and angiotensin receptor blockers are known to preserve endothelial barrier integrity, and treating all EVD patients with these inexpensive and widely available generic agents might improve survival. Unfortunately, Ebola scientists and the World Health Organization are only interested in treatments that target the virus, not agents that improve the host response to the disease.

    Tony Fauci will join Barry Bloom, Michael VanRooyen and Paul Biddinger for the HSPH Ebola Update. He does not believe this approach to treating Ebola patients would work. Someone should ask him why.

  • Franck KOMAN

    Hello , I would like to say think you very much at all members of this
    forum. Before asking a question, I want that UN thiks at the nations in
    west Africa which not contract the virus. For exemple Côte d’Ivoire.And
    now, this is my question: Hox do you share vaccines at the countries
    where there are sick people?Think you much again.

  • The Forum Moderator

    Welcome!

  • The Forum Moderator

    We’ll be starting in just a few minutes

  • KC

    Good day, is this the correct site for the Ebola update webinar?

  • The Forum Moderator

    Our program has started. We’re very glad you could join us today.

  • The Forum Moderator

    These clips are courtesy of Reuters.

  • The Forum Moderator

    If you have a question for the panelists, post them here.

  • Ginnie Thomas

    What should we be telling employees in student housing in universities/colleges (housekeepers, resident directors & assistants, etc) to do if they encounter a student sick in the communal bathroom or in their room (vomiting, etc)? Should they be asking the sick student questions (i.e., at risk for Ebola)? Should they stay away & contact the “ebola” hot line (county public health) if they are not sure?

  • The Forum Moderator

    You can also email questions to theforum@hsph.harvard.edu

    • Shp769

      Thanks to all the panelists for being here. I completely agree with Michael VanRooyen on the importance of optimal utilization of aid especially for capacity building and Prof. Bloom on the importance of an efficient health system. How do we strengthen these health systems? What should be a realistic framework What is the role of the private sector beyond the mullah and how do we make it happen (incentives?)

      • The Forum Moderator

        Thanks — indeed strengthening health systems is so important. I’ll pass along your question.

  • The Forum Moderator

    Thanks Ginnie, Franck and David for your questions

  • The Forum Moderator

    Dr. VanRooyen heads the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

  • The Forum Moderator

    Here’s more info about experimental Ebola vaccines from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ebola/01-october-2014/en/

  • Julius Lee

    I have a question regarding comorbidity. In what way does existing illness such as chronic disease) affect treatment? Thank You.

    • The Forum Moderator

      Thank you Julius. I will send along your question.

  • The Forum Moderator

    One of our panelists, Barry Bloom, has written about how the Ebola crisis is a teaching and learning moment: http://hir.harvard.edu/archives/7500

  • Liz

    Hi,
    A question for the panelists. The WHO International Health Regulations calls for surveillance to prevent outbreaks and promises support and aid in recognizing and controlling these outbreaks. We’ve known that these countries are at risk and have been the poorest and most vulnerable to these kinds of outbreaks for years. What is the role of increased international aid for surveillance and prevention rather than medical response to prevent these outbreaks prior to them happening? Do you think that this will be a part of the new responses and responsibilities of the global health response?

    • The Forum Moderator

      Thanks Liz. Great questions. I’ll pass it along. We’ve just started our Q&A.

  • Shp769

    Thanks to all the panelists for being here. I couldnt agree with Michael VanRooyen on the importance of optimal utilization of aid especially for capacity building and Prof. Bloom on the importance of an efficient health system. How do we strengthen these health systems? What should be a realistic framework What is the role of the private sector beyond the mullah and how do we make it happen (incentives?)

  • The Forum Moderator

    If you missed any of this webcast, you can watch the entire video later this week here on this page. Or you can watch the video on YouTube or iTunesU.

  • Afrihealth Group

    Is the US considering budget support to governments in these countries to strengthen the healthcare systems themselves, like the Danish government does?

  • The Forum Moderator

    We thank you all for joining us today.

  • The Forum Moderator

    Join us again this Monday, December 1, on World AIDS Day, from 12:30-1:30pmET, when we will discuss the idea of “treatment as prevention” to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

  • The Forum Moderator

    Thank you for joining us today.