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Ebola vaccine: Promising phase I trials

Date:May 3, 2016Source:German Center for Infection ResearchSummary:The clinical phase I trial of a potential vaccine against the dreaded Ebola virus has been successfully completed at four partner sites in Africa and Europe. The safety of the tested vaccine 'rVSV-ZEBOV', which induces persistent antibodies against the virus, has been confirmed by researchers.

"The results for tolerability, safety, and the immune response to the vaccine candidate are very promising," explains Prof Marylyn Addo. The antibodies which developed against the virus were still detectable after six months. Addo is convinced, "With this, a single vaccine could provide lasting protection against Ebola." The infectious disease specialist, who works for the German Center for Infection Research at the University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, led the trial in Hamburg. A total of 158 healthy adult volunteers were tested in Hamburg, as well as at the partner sites in Geneva (Switzerland), Lambaréné; (Gabon) and Kilifi (Kenya).

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Heightened Surveillance: Liberia and Guinea Discharge Ebola Patients

Monrovia – Liberia’s and Guinea’s last known Ebola patients in a latest flare-up of the disease that hit both countries have now been discharged. All remaining contacts of confirmed cases that were placed under a 3-week period of medical monitoring have been cleared.

Liberia’s Ministry of Health, WHO and partners involved in the response held a ceremony at the Ebola treatment facility in Monrovia to celebrate the recovery and discharge of a 2-year-old boy, the final patient in the flare-up in Liberia. 

His 5-year-old brother recovered a week earlier. On 29 April, the country also began a 42-day period of increased surveillance – amounting to two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus.

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'Ebola Affects Every Facet of a Child’s Life': UNICEF

Kayla HounsellReporter, CTV News at Six

Published Monday, May 2, 2016 8:04PM ADT 

The children here have made us smile so much. They literally break into big toothy grins every time they see us, some waving frantically, others shyly, delighted when we return the wave.

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How Ebola Destroyed Maternal Health Gains in Sierra Leone

May. 2, 2016

When she went into labor last November, 18-year-old Kema James climbed onto the back of a motorbike taxi in her village in eastern Sierra Leone and rode half an hour to the main government hospital in the nearby city of Kenema.

When her baby was delivered, he was sickly yellow and stricken with sepsis, an ailment caused by bacteria in the blood, and he hung limply in the hands of the hospital staff. He died five days later before he could be named.

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YARDEPB holds Town Hall meeting

Thursday April 28, 2016

As part of their mediation role, Youth Arise for Rural Development, Empowerment and Peace Building (YARDEPB) over the weekend held Town Hall meetings at the Sabanor Complex, Russel village along the Waterloo-Tombo high-way in Western Rural.
According to the Executive Director of YARDEPB, Adams Kamara, the purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness among community people about their role and responsibilities in the fight against domestic violence, rural development, empowerment and Peace Building. He added YARDEPB Waterloo office is always open to all at anytime to report any related cases. He further stated that Sierra Leone has signed many treaties to protect the rights of children and women and as an organization they will implement programmes that will uphold such.

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