Ebola can remain in nervous system of recovered patients and relapse years later, study warns (opens original article in a new tab)

Ebola virus can persist in the nervous system of recovered patients, potentially causing relapses years later according to a new study. The research shows the virus can hide in brain tissue and evade immune system surveillance, with current treatments possibly failing to eliminate it completely. Defective viral genomes were found in lab-grown brain models, suggesting long-term persistence.

• Ebola virus can remain in nervous system of recovered patients and relapse months or years later
• Study using lab-grown mini brains found Ebola hides in cerebral tissue away from immune system
• Current treatments may not eliminate Ebola virus completely from body
• Researchers found defective viral genomes in persistently infected brain models