Photo: Supplied
Two landmark studies released this year have pointed the finger at the long-suspected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as being a leading cause of multiple sclerosis. The virus, which is a member of the herpesvirus family, is extremely common — it is estimated that 95 percent of adults carry it.
Gavin Giovannoni, a Professor of Neurology at Queen Mary University of London, says the next step is preventing people from getting EBV to see if that will indeed stop people from developing multiple sclerosis. There is currently no vaccine for the virus, but earlier this year Moderna began clinical trials of an mRNA vaccine.
Illustration of the Epstein-Barr virus Photo: AFP
