Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Ebola Outbreak Grows, 3 Vaccine Candidates Are Fast-Tracked
CIDRAP: Three Ebola Vaccine Candidates Fast-Tracked As African Outbreak Continues
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has announced it’s helping fast-track three Ebola Bundibugyo virus vaccine candidates from the University of Oxford, Moderna, and the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), as the world races to control the growing outbreak caused by the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. “With Bundibugyo virus spreading rapidly and no licensed vaccines, every day counts in the race against this deadly disease,” said Richard Hatchett, MD, CEO of CEPI, in a press release. “CEPI's urgent funding and support aims to advance safe, effective vaccines to help control this epidemic.” (Soucheray, 6/1)
The Wall Street Journal: Ebola Outbreak Is Now Third Largest In History. Here’s What To Know.
An outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is already the third largest in history, just weeks after it likely began. It is spreading rapidly in one of the most volatile and vulnerable regions of the world, worrying U.S. and international health officials. Cuts to international health aid over the past year and a half are adding to the burden, some public-health leaders say. (McKay, 6/1)
ABC News: Ebola Outbreak Spreading In Africa Is 'Likely Far Worse' Than Official Figures Suggest: IRC
The Ebola outbreak spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is "likely far worse" than official figures suggest, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned on Monday. The New York-based aid organization said response efforts are struggling due to delayed detection and dangerously low levels of contact tracing. Currently, there are more than 1,000 suspected cases and more than 200 suspected deaths in the DRC, according to Congo's Ministry of Health. So far, 282 cases and 42 deaths have been confirmed, the health ministry said. (Gretsky and Kekatos, 6/1)
Bloomberg: Congo Reopens Airport In Ebola Epicenter As Officials Brace For Long Outbreak
Congo reopened the main airport in the eastern province hardest hit by Ebola, after health officials reported tentative signs the outbreak may be slowing despite a continuing struggle to trace exposed contacts and investigate suspected cases. The airport in Bunia — the capital of Ituri province — resumed operations immediately after health authorities determined that screening and surveillance measures were sufficient to manage travel risks, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s transport ministry said in a Monday statement posted on social media. Passengers will undergo temperature screening before departure and arrival. (Gale, 6/2)
BBC: Two People Shot Dead Amid Kenya Protests Against US Ebola Quarantine Centre Plan
Two people have been shot dead in the central Kenyan town of Nanyuki amid protests against US plans to establish an Ebola isolation centre at a military base nearby, the BBC has learnt. One of the victims was shot in an area close to the Laikipia Airbase where a demonstration was taking place. He died after being brought to the town's hospital by friends. The other victim was already dead when he was taken to the hospital by soldiers. (Mukhwana and Rukanga, 6/2)
AP: Kenyan President Defends US Ebola Quarantine Center Amid Protests
President William Ruto on Monday night said the U.S. had a long-standing partnership with Kenya on health matters and that the quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base was one of 24 facilities that had been established in the event of an Ebola outbreak in the country. (6/2)
NBC News: Brazil And Italy Rule Out Ebola In Previously Suspected Cases Amid Scramble To Contain Outbreak
The World Health Organization’s leader traveled to the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the weekend, as suspected cases and deaths continue to mount. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general, visited Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, and on Monday was expected to meet with the country’s president. (Talmazan, 6/1)
