Whitefish, MT / ACCESSWIRE / October 21, 2014 / The Ebola outbreak has caused 4,555 deaths with 9,216 confirmed cases in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, and the United States, according to World Health Organization data up to October 14, 2014. While Nigeria has since been pronounced disease-free, the epidemic continues to affect many other African countries that have been unable to contain its spread.
According to the CDC, there are no specific vaccines or medicines that have been proven to cure Ebola. The organization recommends (1) providing fluids and electrolytes, (2) maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, and (3) treating other infections if they occur to increase the chances of survival. Early recognition is important for increasing the chances of survival and reducing transmissions.
In this article, we'll take a look at several public companies that have been developing solutions to aid in the treatment and prevention of Ebola, including medical device makers and pharmaceutical companies creating vaccines.
Emergency Oxygen
OxySure Systems Inc. (OTC: OXYS) has developed an innovative technology that makes medical oxygen safe and easy-to-use. While traditional oxygen tanks can be highly explosive and require training to operate, the company's oxygen-from-powder technology has no such hazards and can be easily operated by a layperson by simply turning a knob to combine the dry inert powders.
The OxySure Model 615 is a portable emergency oxygen system that leverages the technology to provide instant and over-the-counter medical-grade oxygen. In remote regions of the world, the technology could be used to provide safe and easy access to medical grade oxygen recommended by agencies like the CDC for those afflicted with Ebola, particularly given its long shelf life.
In August 2014, the company announced that the OxySure Model 615 has been used in more than 2,500 incidents requiring emergency medical oxygen. These situations have included asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations, allergy attacks, heat exhaustion, hypoxia/altitude sickness, migraine attacks, poisoning/overdose, diabetic emergencies, smoke inhalation, seizures, chest pain, trauma and other conditions.
In the U.S., the technology has been gaining traction in schools and other environments that require a response to medical emergencies. The availability of emergency oxygen ensures that the brain remains undamaged until emergency response personnel arrive on the scene. With its convenient design, the Model 615 is commonly placed alongside AEDs in schools, workplaces, and other areas.
Experimental Vaccines
Experimental vaccines that have shown promise in early-stage clinical trials are being fast-tracked, but a cure for Ebola remains illusive. Since a virus rather than bacteria causes Ebola, it's relatively straightforward to vaccinate healthy individuals and stimulate the immune system to develop antibodies, but curing someone that has already contracted the disease is an entirely different story.
Several companies have already been working on vaccines. GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK) believes that it could have a million doses available next year. The Public Health Agency of Canada and NewLink Genetics Corp. (NASDAQ: NLNK) are testing a second vaccine, while Johnson and Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) plan clinical trials for a third vaccine early next year, with the blessing of the FDA.
These vaccines are based on modified viruses that express an Ebola protein strong enough to stimulate an immune response, but weak enough to avoid making patients sick. By establishing a firewall among healthy people, researchers are hoping to at least contain the disease in West African countries using these vaccines, while ZMapp and other cures are still being investigated.
Looking Ahead
The Ebola crisis has been contained in Nigeria and there are positive signs that the situation is improving in other West African countries. In the U.S., there is little chance of Ebola becoming a widespread concern, especially given the CDC's quick actions to contain existing outbreaks. Airports are now being actively monitored and a specialized team is ready to be deployed anywhere within 72 hours.
The world should remain prepared for these types of outbreaks, however, given the increasing interconnectedness of society. Aside from Ebola, the CDC has also been fighting a long battle against superbugs that have developed resistance to many strong antibiotics, particularly in hospital environments. These types of outbreaks could become even more deadly in the developed world.
Whether it's Ebola, the avian flu, the Enterovirus D68 (a respiratory illness that affects mostly children) or potential superbugs, pharmaceutical and medical device companies play an important role in developing vaccines, treatments, and tools for first responders. Investors interested in supporting companies fighting these battles may want to take a look at the many companies in the space fighting the wide array of potential disease.
More Information:
-OxySure Website - http://www.oxysure.com/
-OTC Markets Profile - http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/OXYS/quote
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SOURCE: Emerging Growth LLC