Ebola .... game on.

mike_l

I couldn't say "From when Decker was normal" for obvious reasons.........

Col_Decker

Correct

hungrymark

Bucket said:

@axisus Given that viruses can mutate, what are the chances of it evolving to become airborne?

There is a strain of Ebola (Reston strain) that is airborne, but it only causes disease in monkeys. Even so, if one of them is capable, it's not too much of a stretch to consider that the others may mutate.

Some viruses mutate more than others. Flu, for example, mutates loads, which is why you have new flu shots coming in every winter. Herpes, on the other hand, doesn't mutate all that much by comparison. The viruses that mutate the most tend to have RNA genomes (as opposed to DNA), which Ebola has, and have several discrete sections, which ebola doesn't. Influenza virus has 8 segments in its genome, which shuffle around fairly easily, meaning that new strains come up with relatively high frequency. The good news with ebola is that its genome isn't segmented so it doesn't mutate as quickly, even though its RNA ensures that it does do it fairly quickly.

The very good news is that there's never been a case of a virus that causes serious disease mutating its mode of transmission. They tend to mutate the things that they do to the body once they're inside instead, because its less risky for their survival. If you think that mutations are random, so if a mutation happens it's as likely to cause it to transmit less effectively as more, this begins to make sense.

Gassage

Judging by the various news billboards and public info notices in Liverpool Street today, the threat of Ebola pales into insignificance alongside the devastation that can be inflicted by card clash on the Tube.

chillidoggy

What, you mean it growing a pair of wings, or something?

RocknRollDave

Bucket said:

@axisus Given that viruses can mutate, what are the chances of it evolving to become airborne?

Ebola to become Airbourne..? I've heard some of their stuff on Planet Rock...I'd say that was an evolutionary step backwards for a virus, not forwards...

citizen68

seany65 said:

If Ebola can't be transferred, how the ruddy-blink are people catching it?

Didn't Chelsea try to sign him?

johnnyurq

chillidoggy said:

What, you mean it growing a pair of wings, or something?

Just keep it the fuck away from any Red Bull.

Emp_Fab

littlegreenman

https://i.imgflip.com/cosuf.jpg

Myranda

johnnyurq said:

chillidoggy said:

What, you mean it growing a pair of wings, or something?

Just keep it the fuck away from any Red Bull.

So if Ebola gets to an energy drink we're all screwed... does that mean my purpose in life is to consume energy drinks to save the human race?! But I was cutting down! *hmpf* fine

littlegreenman

More people worldwide died from influenza yesterday (in one day) than the whole Ebola "epidemic" thus far.

Wash your hands, don't play with blood, shit and puke. Especially from anyone who is sweating, shitting and projectile vomiting and most likely you'll be OK.

Ebola FUD is a damp squib.

Emp_Fab

FUD ?

joeyowen

Go read the TGP threads on this very subject... they seem to have it allllll figured out.

Hertz32

Iamnobody

Stay away from your local book lender - you can catch it if you get intimate with librarians....

And it boils your spunk...

johnnyurq

Myranda said:

johnnyurq said:

chillidoggy said:

What, you mean it growing a pair of wings, or something?

Just keep it the fuck away from any Red Bull.

So if Ebola gets to an energy drink we're all screwed... does that mean my purpose in life is to consume energy drinks to save the human race?! But I was cutting down! *hmpf* fine

Oh yes indeedy and I cannot think of someone more suited to the task at hand due to your extensive practice for this role and in hardcore energy drinks consumption.

The world is grateful but slightly scare all at once.