Ebola update

StrategyPage has an article about the Ebola epidemic in the Congo. Over 1000 have died, and it is worried that refugees could spread the disease into Uganda.

Alas, terrorists (both Islamic and ordinary thugs) have been attacking clinics trying to treat folks there.

and they go into the real problem: Corruption.

Science magazine has an article about the epidemic also. They have been using a new vaccine to stop it from spreading.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will expand its use of the experimental Ebola vaccine that more than 110,000 have already received to try to stop an unusually stubborn outbreak of the disease. New vaccination strategies will attempt to reduce the security risks faced by health care workers in the outbreak region, which is home to nearly two dozen rebel groups—some of which have attacked response teams.

the problem? Not enough vaccine. The article notes that a partial dose would give protection, so that would enable medics to "stretch" the limited supply (we did the same thing in Africa when Measles vaccine first came out 40 years ago: we gave one third dose. One problem is that the vaccine wears off in 10 years, and if you gave it to children below 18 months it might not work because antibodies from their mom interfered with it. The good news is that those given the shot and who got measles usually didn't die of it).

One way the vaccine is being used is to give shots to contacts and to contacts of contacts: but it doesn't seem to be working here,

I wonder if this is maybe because not all cases are caught early enough or maybe because the large number in extended families/friends are not all found.

one note on those attacking clinics:

The WHO has been trying to use local folks in the outbreak: They would know the culture and be trusted (if they were the same tribe) whereas outsiders would tempt thugs and terrorists to rob and kidnap "europeans" (i.e. non local people with paler complexions) for ransom.


but of course MSM only posts about "doctors without borders", not local folk or especially not about missionaries (either European or African) who risk their lives.

and since all black people look alike (Yes, I am being sarcastic), there is not a lot of information about the tribal componant in the victims or caregivers.

I worked in Liberia and Zimbabwe, but have little knowledge about the DRC or even Uganda.

The Harare Tribune says they are preparing for the disease if a traveler should bring it there. 96 people have been quarantined as contacts but so far no one has come down with the disease.