Increasingly, Lassa fever may appear in an ever widening section of Africa, as climate change renders much larger portions of the continent hospitable to the transmission of the virus. So a vaccine is sorely needed — and this one uses an inactivated strain of rabies to base the vaccine proteins on. [It comes out of University of Maryland efforts, in Nigeria.]
Here’s that story — from ContagionLive:
…An investigational vaccine for the Lassa fever virus (Josiah strain) vectored with inactivated rabies has demonstrated clinically significant immunogenicity against both viruses and a favorable safety profile in a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial conducted by the Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine….
“Climate change is causing Lassa fever to extend its reach far beyond its Nigerian and West African origins, putting an estimated 700 million people at risk worldwide,” said UMSOM Dean Mark Gladwin, MD in a statement released on the publication of the trial interim results….
Although the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, exacerbated by late response and lack of vaccine for the circulating species, requires all possible measures, Lassa fever is another zoonotic viral hemorrhagic illness in the region that is a priority target of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated to infect 300,000 people and kill 5,000 each year, with an 80% mortality of mother or fetus when contracted in late-term pregnancy, and with no vaccine yet available….
Onward, with baby-grrls day here — and sunshine at the park, in cool 70 degree air ahead — maybe a walk to the beach, to put our toes in sugary warm white sand, as well. Smile….
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