With experimental drugs in short supply or not ready for use, global health officials are exploring whether the natural immunity survivors gain after they shed the virus can be shared with others.

The idea would be to use their plasma, the part of blood that contains antibodies, to help fight off the infection.

Some early research suggests using blood from survivors could be a success. In 1995 in Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of Congo, seven of eight infected people given the therapy survived during an outbreak with an 80 per cent fatality rate.

While studies have since showed conflicting results, the strategy is worth trying again as the current death toll rises, said David Wood, who leads a World Health Organisation team evaluating the approach.

It is “a feasible option”, said Mr Wood. “We’re consulting with the blood operators who have capability to assist, so that we can get some realistic sense of when this could be available as an option. We’ll have that information pretty soon.

The emboldened clearly indicates that its being considered. . . If the American doctor got treated with this method within a week of being infected and he survived! I don't see why we are procrastinating. We already have 4 survivors right?

The blood has to be compatible first....ie compatible blood groups

You don't suggest what you don't understand and you can't understand by reading one article.

ramaju: You don't suggest what you don't understand and you can't understand by reading one article.

Questions aren't suggestions . . . I'd suspect an educated person would see the obvious distinctions. however, it is common knowledge that a larger amount of the educated Nigerian society are no better than stack illiterates.

bushdoc9919: The blood has to be compatible first....ie compatible blood groups

True but how is that possible that there has been no match so far of the 4 survivors n currently 8 or so patients?

was taught back in school dat serum or plasma of cured victims r used to develop vaccine

ve been waiting to hear dis since ebola has 60% fatality

bt 4 where, every1 dey hammer on zmapp

hushmail: was taught back in school dat serum or plasma of cured victims r used to develop vaccine

ve been waiting to hear dis since ebola has 60% fatality

bt 4 where, every1 dey hammer on zmapp

My thought exactly. . . I read it was first used in Congo as far back as 1995, surely we have better technology now. . . . .Why hasn't this been tried at least once?

Just found this by the way . . .

http://news.sciencemag.org/africa/2014/08/who-ponders-treating-ebola-infected-people-blood-survivors