Ebola: Rushing to Find a Cure

Before I took AP Biology, I assumed I would be a neurologist when I grew up. I have spent two summers studying the brain and discovering if people lie more when they are around their friends. I was so excited to learn about the nervous system, but then Ms. Eckert taught us the immune system and my life ambitions changed.

An Immune System Meme!

The most interesting part of the immune system is how prevalent it is among animals on Earth. The immune system works tirelessly in our bodies to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses, and we do not even know this is happening. However, one of the viruses that the immune system had difficulties fighting off in the past was the Ebola virus. The possibility of this dangerous virus traveling from Sub-Saharan Africa to New Jersey occurred in October 2015 when nurse Kaci Hickox came back from West Africa through New Jersey after assisting health officials in treating patients with Ebola. Ms. Hickox was quarantined upon arrival in New Jersey due to a high fever, which is a symptom of Ebola. Other symptoms include muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Nurse Kaci Hickox in Quarantine 

Ms. Hickox was helping treat patients that were infected through the first modern outbreak of the Ebola virus, which began in October 2014 and lasted until June 2016. In response to the quarantine, Ms. Hickox sued the state of New Jersey because she felt "kidnapped" for 48 hours. My close relative works in the Governor's Office and was involved in reviewing documents related to the lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of the nurse. Last summer, I went to the ACLU's Summer Institute, and hearing about this story from my relative made me think about how the ACLU fights for civil liberties.

Map of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak 

Although the Ebola virus outbreak ended in 2016, it resurfaced and another outbreak was declared on May 8, 2018 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Specifically, the virus has reached Mbandaka, a major city in the DRC. This is a huge concern to health officials because the virus can spread quickly.

Map of the DRC with Mbandaka 

Fortunately, since the end of the previous outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2016, a vaccine to fight the virus was developed and 9,000 doses were recently delivered to the DRC. In trials, this new vaccine has shown a 100% success rate in preventing people from being infected by the Ebola virus. 

Ebola Vaccine 

Vaccines, including the one fighting the Ebola virus, assist our immune systems fight viruses. Specifically, vaccines help the body develop active immunity,  which is long lasting immunity that is developed through immune system cells. To acquire active immunity, special immune cells known as B-cells and T-cells learn to recognize different pathogens,  which are harmful organisms or viruses, and then these cells spring into action! B-cells release antibodies, which are proteins that stick to free-floating pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, which makes them easier to catch. T-cells, on the other hand, kill diseased cells to protect other cells from infection.  

Unfortunately, our immune systems do not work like this!

Once the immune system fights off the original encounter, the memory B-cells and T-cells remember the pathogen. If the pathogen is ever encountered again, then the immune system will activate quickly and remove the threat.  

A funny meme showing B-cells and T-cells!

To help our immune system gain acquired immunity, vaccines release a small amount of pathogen into the body and the B-cells and T-cells are able to attack and remember, allowing for immunity. 

Simplified Diagram of How Vaccines Work

Based on this information, if someone does not receive the new Ebola vaccine, then he or she has a chance of contracting the virus. Once the virus enters the body, the virus works by targeting dendritic cells, which signal killer T-cells to attack pathogens. Without the dendritic cells, the immune system cannot recognize pathogens and the virus can replicate quickly. Once the virus moves on, it causes damage to blood vessels. Without functioning blood vessels, an infected person will see a drop in blood pressure and multiple organ failure if the virus is left untreated.

An Ebola Viron

If, however, a person receives the Ebola vaccine prior to being infected by the Ebola virus, when the Ebola virus enters the person's body, his or her immune system is ready for the attack. Specifically, the memory B-cells and T-cells will be activated and attack the Ebola virus, which will cause the virus to be eliminated. The hope is that the new Ebola vaccine will help save many lives. Although our immune systems may get by with a little help from vaccines, they really are our microscopic protectors that work tirelessly to help keep our bodies going throughout the day! 

That's a wrap!