U.S.made dengue vaccine 100 percent effective in small study

[WhiteTara]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-dengue-vaccine-idUSKCN0WI2L0

A dengue vaccine developed by U.S. National Institutes of Health scientists protected everyone given the shot against the virus in a promising small study published on Wednesday, with the researchers saying it could become widely available by 2018.

The scientists also expressed optimism that the approach they used for the dengue vaccine could work in creating a vaccine against the Zika virus, which is in the same viral family and spread by the same mosquito species. Zika, linked to numerous cases of the birth defect microcephaly in Brazil, is spreading rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Researchers administered the single-dose vaccine, called TV003, to a group of volunteers and six months later exposed them to dengue-2, one of the four different strains of the virus.

All 21 people given the vaccine were protected from infection. All 20 people given a placebo injection developed dengue infection after being exposed to the virus. Everyone in the placebo group had the virus in their blood, 80 percent developed a rash and 20 percent exhibited low white blood cell counts.

[Divernan]

1. Very painful infection moving into Hawaii/Florida w/ global climate change

My son saw people with this disease when he spent a year in the Indonesian rain forests. He's the one who told me it was called "break bone fever". The mosquito which carries it is moving northward from tropical climates/Caribbean into Florida, as well as Hawaii. This disease has been ravishing poor people for decades. Typical of western medicine, a vaccine is only now being developed, since the virus is starting to infect Americans.

It will be a godsend to poor countries. What you might call collateral benefits, as compared to collateral damages.

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/hawaii-dengue-outbreak-up-to-180-milolii-beach-park-closed-54217/


US News » Hawaii dengue outbreak up to 180, Milolii Beach Park closed
Hawaii dengue outbreak up to 180, Milolii Beach Park closed
Posted by Robert Herriman on December 25, 2015 // 3 Comments

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) reported as of Dec. 24, 180 confirmed cases of dengue fever. This is an increase of four cases during the past 24 hours. Of the confirmed cases, 162 are Hawaii Island residents and 18 are visitors.

The County of Hawaii announced the response to the dengue fever outbreak continues and as a proactive and preventative measure, Milolii Beach Park will be closed until further notice. This action is necessary to allow for health and parks department staff to conduct mosquito control and pesticide treatments. In addition, the Hookena Beach Park also remains closed until further notice. Access to both the areas will be limited to local residents only.

http://www.compassion.com/featured-stories/dengue-fever-in-indonesia.htm
In the West when children fall prey to a treatable illness such as the flu, they're taken to a clinic or hospital, a doctor gives them medicine and they return home. But recovering from illness is rarely routine in developing countries.

Dengue fever has haunted the north coast of Java for years and has again ravaged this city's most vulnerable: infants and children in poverty. Dengue fever is caused by a bite from an infected aedes mosquito. More than 60,000 people in the 14 most populated provinces in Indonesia have contracted the disease. Nearly 700 people have died. The disease is incurable but medical treatment can ensure survival. Without treatment, however, the victim has only a 50 percent chance of living.

[WhiteTara]

2. I had no idea it was so terrible.

I'm glad there is going to be a vaccine.

[WhiteTara]

4. That is an incredible history lesson.

The Cuban people are indeed resilient and infinitely resourceful. I can't believe the death toll was so low and I'm in awe of them.

[polly7]

5. Judi-Lynn and Mika are treasure troves of information.

Cuba has done many amazing things despite the brutal blockade. Their willingness to share with the world and send medical personnel so quickly to dangerous and terribly devastated areas of the world has made them one of the countries I admire most. The rest of the world could learn much from them, imo.

[HuckleB]

6. Recommended.