Revealing the mysterious mutation ability of Ebola virus

While experts are still debating whether Ebola will develop an airborne form, the deadly virus has already mutated to survive. According to experts, the speed and method of Ebola's transformation may not be the same as other viruses.

Ebola virus. Photo: BBC

Viruses reproduce through host cells. The virus injects or inserts its DNA or RNA into the host cell, which then transmits instructions to the cell to make more viruses. These viruses then spread throughout the organism.

However, that's where the immune systems of host organisms, including humans, come in. When the same virus tries to attach itself to a host cell again, it may be blocked by the host's immune system. That forces the virus to mutate so it can continue to make copies of itself.

Viruses can change their surface proteins to "camouflage" and "trick" host cells into allowing them to attach. How long this process takes depends largely on whether the virus's genetic material is DNA (DNA viruses) or RNA (RNA viruses).

DNA viruses, such as the smallpox virus, mutate slowly because they include “a form of ‘proofreading’ of the copied genetic material.” Meanwhile, RNA viruses, such as influenza, HIV, and Ebola, do not have this proofreading step.

Ebola is transmitted to humans through skin or tissue in the eyes, nose, or mouth. Because the Ebola virus has mutated, it may make diagnosis and treatment more difficult. However, most experts believe it is unlikely that the deadly virus will mutate enough to become airborne.

However, Dr. Scott Gottlieb emphasized in Forbes magazine, the changes have increased the urgency to extinguish the Ebola epidemic as soon as possible.

According to Vietnamnet