Originally published July 15 2005
New vaccines cure Ebola and Marburg in non-human primates
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
When tested on monkeys, a vaccine developed by Canadian health researchers and U.S. Army health researchers was 100 percent effective in the inoculating against both Ebola and Marburg viruses, reports Science Daily.
In a study published in this month's Nature Medicine, Canadian researchers Dr. Heinz Feldmann and Dr. Steven Jones of PHAC's National Microbiology Laboratory and Dr. Thomas Geisbert of USAMRIID report that the vaccines have proven 100 percent effective in protecting monkeys against infection from these often deadly viruses.
Demonstrating that these vaccines are safe and effective in monkeys is a promising indicator of their real potential for use in humans.
"When you see the tragedies these viruses cause, it's very frustrating that we can't do more to help people," said Dr. Feldmann, who (along with Dr. Jones and others from PHAC) has been providing on-site rapid diagnostic support to the current Marburg outbreak in Angola.
According to Dr. Geisbert, this is the first vaccine system, or platform, that has protected nonhuman primates from both Ebola and Marburg.
"In addition, the vaccine targets dendritic cells, which are the same cells that Ebola and Marburg attack," said Dr. Geisbert.
The study describes how Canadian researchers developed the vaccines by replacing a surface protein in an animal pathogen, called vesicular stomatitis virus, with a surface protein from either the Ebola or Marburg viruses.
Following extensive work, including trials with mice and guinea pigs, the PHAC researchers collaborated with USAMRIID to prove their efficacy in non-human primates.
Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), praised the work of the scientists in developing the vaccine and providing support to the outbreak in Angola.
"This speaks volumes about the dedication and expertise of these individuals, and also what can be achieved through international collaboration," said Minister Dosanjh.
Colonel Erik A. Henchal, commander of USAMRIID, said the study illustrates the benefits of collaborative research to develop medical countermeasures for biodefense.
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