West Africa End 2015 Ebola Free
December 30th, 2015
By: Carol Pearson
Reviewed by: Ashley Kim
The start of 2015 began hopefully in finding an effective Ebola vaccine and ended in glory. This article in the VOA (Voice of America) celebrated the success of the now safe and efficient Ebola vaccine, VSV-EBOV(see Fig1), as well as much rejoicing for the now Ebola-free countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea! Although these countries weren't the only ones in Africa to be hit with this deadly virus, it was most serious in these regions.
Earlier in 2015, other articles, such as this one from the World Health Organization commented on how the results from the Guinea Phase III efficiency trial for VSV-EBOV was shown to be decidedly effective. John-Arne Røttingen, Director of the Division Infectious Disease Control at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Chair of the Study Steering Group, explained that "... by vaccinating all people who have come into contact with an infected person you create a protective 'ring' and stop the virus
from spreading further. This strategy has helped us to follow the dispersed epidemic in Guinea, and will provide a way to continue this as a public health intervention in trial mode." VSV-EBOV was developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and licensed to NewLink Genetics, Merck & Co. and the Canadian and US Governments financially supported a continuation of trials and research.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a vaccine is made of weakened or killed forms of the microbe that causes the disease. This weaker form triggers the immune to destroy and remember, so the next time the immune encounters this virus, there will be no trouble of fighting it.
Other vaccines, such as ChAd3-ZEBOV, NewLinkGenetics, and MerckVaccines USA are also being tested, as well as other treatments and devices.
However, back to the main article. Although Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea are Ebola free, Pearson agrees with Dr. Bruce Aylward, the WHO's special representative for Ebola, that "...the coming months would be 'absolutely critical.'" Meaning, future Ebola outbreaks must be prepared for and kept under control.
When the Ebola pandemic started two years ago, everyone was completely caught off guard and devastated. Around 11,000 people were taken away by Ebola across ten countries. Yet, here we are, two years later with a vaccine. All over the world, several countries took the time and effort to create this vaccine and are still trying to develop further effective treatments. The World Bank Group has also given $1.62 billion to help these three countries to recover and improve, especially in health. This kind of news always makes me feel that if only people helped the people in this way, the world would make much more progress in the future.
Other Resources:
(This article has a rather misleading title, but admits to vaccine needing further trials at this time)
Citations
"World on the Verge of an Effective Ebola Vaccine." WHO. N.p., 31 July 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
Enserik, Martin. "Ebola Vaccine Works, Offering 100% Protection in African Trial." Science. N.p., 31 July 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
"Ebola Vaccines, Therapies, and Diagnostics." World Health Organization. N.p., 6 Oct. 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
Pearson, Carol. "West Africa Ends 2015 Declared Ebola-free." VOA. N.p., 30 Dec. 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
"Vaccines." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
I really liked how you cited all your information and gave names of important people and organizations in this article. I think it would be even better if you organized the spacing a bit more but in general it was really great! Good job Ashley :)
ReplyDeleteWhat Went Well: Your sources are really well-varied and well-cited. You also explained the influence/expanse of Ebola in an in-depth way. The extra resources were also a really nice touch!
ReplyDeleteTo Be Improved: The explanation of vaccines themselves was a little unnecessary. Along with some more organization of ideas, it would've made this post even better.
WWW: Well-written, plenty details, and your message was very clear.
ReplyDeleteCBB: Some irrelevant information, could have given more of your perspective at the end.