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Infectious Diseases
Antibiotic gel helps prevent Lyme disease after tick bite
An antibiotic gel based on azithromycin, an antibiotic with antibacterial properties, helps to prevent the onset of Lyme borreliosis following a tick bite, found...
Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and birth defects
A World Health Organisation evidence analysis confirms that infection with mosquito-borne Zika virus is a cause of the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), as...
How Nigeria beat Ebola
Within three months, Nigeria managed to contain the deadly Ebola virus with only eight deaths, in stark contrast to other West African countries.
Flu vaccination protects against avian flu
University of Chicago research shows 'clear evidence' that a normal immune response to flu vaccination offers protection against dangerous and highly unique strains of influenza such as H7N9 avian flu.
Favipiravir halves Ebola mortality
For the first time, a drug – favipiravir – is showing promising signs of effectiveness, halving mortality in Ebola patients participating in a Guinean study.
Survivors affected by ‘Post Ebola Syndrome’
A growing number of Ebola survivors are complaining of side effects months after their recovery – including vision problems, joint pain, hair and memory loss and anxiety attacks – a condition some doctors are calling 'post-Ebola Syndrome' (PES).
Could Ebola virus be immunising some?
A recent sharp drop in new Ebola infections in West Africa is prompting scientists to wonder whether the virus may be silently immunising some people at the same time as brutally killing their neighbours, writes Reuters Health.
Scientists say Ebola virus is mutating
Scientists tracking the Ebola outbreak in Guinea say the virus has mutated, reports BBC News.
Military-style operation helping defeat Ebola
A military-style operation to fight Ebola in Sierra Leone has helped to dramatically reduce new cases.
Diarrhoea antibiotics help spread superbugs
Taking antibiotics for diarrhoea may put travellers visiting developing parts of the world at higher risk for contracting superbugs and spreading these bacteria to their home countries, according to a Helsinki University study.
Ebola vaccine development accelerates
The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is launching the first eight projects of its Ebola+ programme, to accelerate all aspects of vaccine development and manufacturing as well as deployment and compliance with vaccine regimens and diagnostics. The announcement comes in the run up to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Ebola will feature high on the agenda.
SA healthcare workers on vaccine frontline
SA healthcare workers in Sierra Leone might be among the frontline staff offered experimental Ebola vaccines when clinical trials get under way.
New cases of Ebola are declining
New Ebola cases in the three West African countries worst affected by the deadly outbreak of the virus are declining, weekly UN figures show.
Outbreak traced to first victim
The current Ebola outbreak has been traced back to its first victim – a two-year-old boy called Emile Ouamouno from Guinea – may have been infected by playing in a hollow tree housing a colony of bats.
For future reference – lessons learnt
People fighting Ebola are coming up with lists of lessons learned – not only for the current battle, but also for future outbreaks of deadly contagions.
Trial raises hopes for cheaper rotavirus vaccine
In a phase 3 trial, Rotavac, a rotavirus vaccine developed by an Indian company with help from an international partnership, showed about the same...