CURRENT SCENARIO OF THERAPEUTICS FOR EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE

Abstract

Currently various countries in Africa, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, are facing disaster due to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which is primarily caused by Ebola virus. 2014 outbreak of Ebola associated viral haemorrhagic fever has 55-60% fatality rate. The incubation period of Ebola is below 21 days; once the appearance of symptoms starts the person will be infective. As there is no specific vaccine, antiviral or drugs for treating Ebola resulting in large number of deaths. Most of the recent outbreaks occurred in remote areas of West Africa. Poverty, lack of awareness, access to health centres, human habitats taking its toll in spreading the disease in large scale. Few nucleotide analogues, protease inhibitors, receptor binding, monoclonal antibodies and anticoagulant therapies are exhibiting promising role in inhibiting the Ebola virus in various (in vitro and in vivo) models.