Ebola vaccines to save millions lives next year

/AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

If the tests on the newly produced Ebola vaccines are positive, the vaccines would be available for public by next year, said David Nabarro, a medical doctor who is organizing the United Nations' response to Ebola.

He noted that the first phase of the tests are already underway.

“We have two promising vaccines. If everything goes well, and further tests are positive, I am assured that the vaccines would be available for public in the next year,” he said. “We will try to provide peoples in need with the vaccines soon.”

Earlier on November 12, the international humanitarian organization “Doctors Without Borders” said that they will conduct vaccine tests in three health centers in West Africa.

Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, Vandi Chidi Minah said officials in the UN are waiting for “good news” about test results by the end of this year.

“We have received information that various companies in the UK, Japan and China have made significant progress in working on drugs and efficient diagnosis of Ebola virus. We invite all those who have the necessary resources and research base, whether private companies or public institutions, to help us achieve this goal,” the diplomat said.

“We are waiting for the drugs to fight the virus,” he added.

World community has allocated millions of dollars to fighting against Ebola virus. Like many other countries, Azerbaijan has also allocated $1 million as part of an international effort to fight the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Individual cases of infection have also been recorded in the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe.

Earlier this month, Mali’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s second fatal case of Ebola virus disease. The case was a nurse who worked at a privately-run clinic in the capital city, Bamako.

The world's worst-ever Ebola cases were observed first in Nzara, Sudan, and Yambuku, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976.

So what are the reasons behind the outbreak of virus in March 2014 in West Africa killing over 5,100 people with more than 14,100 people infected.

Many doctors say the rapid spread of the virus is deeply rooted in the weak hygiene and sanitation system and local customs of funeral of the people living in those territories.

A similar statement was made by President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, declaring a state of emergency in the country from August 6.

“Poverty, as well as deep-rooted religious and cultural traditions continue to contribute spreading the disease,” he said.

The most dangerous countries are Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Only in August, the Liberian government ordered to burn, but not to bury corpses from Ebola. However, in Liberia and Guinea people ignore government instructions not to bury their tribesmen. This in turn has led to more infection spread.