Lesson one about mankind is that we are fallible. Actually, it not just humanity, but the world is fallible. It is not too surprising then, when we hear Ebola researcher in Germany is isolated after needle puncture. The female researcher at the university clinic in Hamburg-Eppendorf punctured herself with a needle possibly containing traces of the Ebola virus, despite wearing protective clothing. She was transferred to an isolation ward because the strain has a mortality rate of 90%. In 2004 a Russian scientist died after a similar laboratory accident. Ebola, known to medical professionals as haemorrhagic fever, is incurable.
Canadian-made Ebola vaccine used after lab accident explains that an unlicensed vaccine was administered to the scientist. This vaccine actually contains a living virus, so it was risky because it has never been administered to a human. The researcher spiked a fever half a day after the injection, but it is unknown whether the fever was from Ebola or the vaccination. The vaccine has been tested by the US Army Medical Research Institute upon macaque monkeys.
The last posting I could discover from Google, was from three days ago, when it said the woman's temperature had returned to normal. The researcher is still at risk, because the virus has an incubation period between two days to three weeks.
Despite layers of defenses, accidents will happen. Whether it is nuclear, biological, or civil engineering, we have to be prepared.
Comments