A New Antiviral Stop Measles In Its Tracks

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Dblpk4BMBcC/A new pill could halt measles transmission if given shortly before or even after a person is exposed.Georgia State University virologists tested an experimental oral antiviral called GHP-88310 in ferrets infected with canine distemper virus, which produces a measles-like disease. The drug blocks both direct-contact and airborne transmission when used around the time of exposure by inhibiting viral polymerase, the enzymatic machinery these viruses require in order to reproduce. When the drug was given to animals that were already infected, it did reduce illness severity and shortened the period during which animals could transmit the virus.The investigators envision this antiviral as a complement to vaccination, not replacing it. It could help to rapidly contain outbreaks after cases appear. But there’s an important limitation: this has not yet been demonstrated in humans infected with the hyper-contagious measles virus. On the drawing board: formal clinical testing of GHP-88310.  Meanwhile, the best protection for you and your children is the time-tested safe and effective MMR vaccine.References on my website.#Measles #Antiviral #InfectiousDisease #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth