Friday, July 10th, 2009

A New Swine Virus

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Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an Ebola virus virion. CDC/ Cynthia Goldsmith

Scientists say the ebolavirus made famous in Richard Preston's thriller 'The Hot Zone' has been found living in the Philippines. Writing this week in the journal Science, researchers describe the discovery of Reston ebolavirus, or "REBOV," in pigs there -- and they say it appears that the virus may have been living there for some time. Scientists say this strain of ebolavirus is currently not harmful to humans, unlike other filoviruses, including Marburg and other Ebola species. However, they fear it could mutate and become dangerous. We'll find out more.

Guests

Michael McIntosh
Head of Proficiency and Validation Services Section, and Bioforensics
Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services
United States Department of Agriculture
Plum Island Animal Disease Center
Greenport, New York

Related Links

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

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