Baltimore Doctor In Mali Administering First Trials Of Ebola Vaccine
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Ebola could be the next AIDS. That's the warning from America's top health official. World leaders are working to control the spread of the virus.
Human trials are underway in the African country of Mali, where a Baltimore doctor is testing a promising vaccine.
Christie Ileto spoke to him directly.
The disease is at its deadliest, but happening right now, the first wave of health care workers in Africa is getting the experimental vaccine. So far, three people have the vaccine.
"If all is well, vaccinate two more people, wait 24 hours, vaccinate two more people." said Dr. Myrone Levine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Dr. Levine is carrying out the trial. He spoke to WJZ via Skype in Mali.
Ileto: "Are you optimistic this is going to work?"
Dr. Levine: "We're optimistic. And even more importantly, we're hopeful."
The vaccine is made using a common cold virus and is coated with what's called an Ebola protein. This essentially helps the body build resistance to the deadly disease.
There have been no reported Ebola cases in Mali, but it does border infected areas, where more than 3,800 people have died since the outbreak.
"Most of the health workers are so scared about Ebola," said Samba Sow, Ministry of Health in Mali. "Even if you have a simple fever, simple malaria, they won't start to check. They will just be scared and leave you alone."
Still, it's this latest trial Levine and his team are hoping will calm the panic and stop the deadly disease from spreading.
NIH developed the vaccine being used in Mali. Scientists are also conducting trials at their headquarters in Bethesda.
Other Local News:
