Published in

Mary Ann Liebert, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 3(2), p. 186-191

DOI: 10.1089/15387130460759236

Mary Ann Liebert, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, 3(2), p. 186-191

DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2004.2.186

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Marburg and Ebola Viruses as Aerosol Threats

Journal article published in 2004 by Elizabeth K. Leffel, Douglas S. Reed ORCID
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Ebola and Marburg viruses are the sole members of the genus Filovirus in the family Filoviridae. There has been considerable media attention and fear generated by outbreaks of filoviruses because they can cause a severe viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) syndrome that has a rapid onset and high mortality. Although they are not naturally transmitted by aerosol, they are highly infectious as respirable particles under laboratory conditions. For these and other reasons, filoviruses are classified as category A biological weapons. However, there is very little data from animal studies with aerosolized filoviruses. Animal models of filovirus exposure are not well characterized, and there are discrepancies between these models and what has been observed in human outbreaks. Building on published results from aerosol studies, as well as a review of the history, epidemiology, and disease course of naturally occurring outbreaks, we offer an aerobiologist's perspective on the threat posed by aerosolized filoviruses.