PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS ON EBOLA BEFORE MEETING WITH WEST AFRICAN LEADERS

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE
April 15, 2015
Remarks by the President Before Meeting with West African Leaders on Ebola
CABINET ROOM
10:45 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I want to welcome Presidents Sirleaf, Koroma and Condé.  The United States has a long partnership with Liberia and Sierra Leone and Guinea -- partnerships that prove to be critical in the fight against Ebola.  We’re here to assess progress today and to look ahead.

We begin by noting the incredible losses that took place in all three countries.  More than 10,000 people have died from Ebola -- men, women and children.  On behalf of the American people, we want to express our deepest condolences to the families and recognize how challenging this has been for all the countries involved.

Under extraordinary circumstances, the people of these three countries have shown great courage and resolve, treating and taking care of each other, especially children and orphans.  The United States has been proud to lead an international effort to work with these three countries in a global response.

Last week, there were fewer than 40 new cases, so we’ve seen major progress.  In Liberia right now, there are zero cases.  In Sierra Leone and Guinea combined, there were fewer than 40 new cases last week and that’s around the lowest number in a year.  Now we’re focused on a shared goal, and that is getting to zero.  We can’t be complacent.  This virus is unpredictable.

We have to be vigilant, and the international community has to remain fully engaged in a partnership with these three countries until there are no cases of Ebola in these countries.  Health systems also have to be rebuilt to meet daily needs -- vaccines for measles, delivering babies safely, treating HIV/AIDS and malaria.  And with our Global Health Security Agenda, we intend to do more to prevent future epidemics.

So the Ebola epidemic has been also an economic crisis.  That’s part of the reason why these three presidents are here.  They’re going to be meeting with a number of the multilateral institutions -- the IMF and World Bank here in Washington.  There’s the challenge of restoring markets and agricultural growth, promoting investment and development.  So I’m going to be looking forward to hearing from them on how the United States can stand shoulder to shoulder with them to work hard to take this crisis and turn it into an opportunity to rebuild even stronger than before:  To strengthen administrative systems, public health systems, to continue the work that they’ve done in rooting out corruption, reinforcing democratic institutions -- all of which will be the foundation stones for long-term progress and prosperity.

So Madam President, Mr. Presidents, we are very grateful for the hard work that you’ve done.  We’re proud to partner with you and we intend to see this through until the job is done.

Thank you, everybody.

END

UPDATE: MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE

FROM:  CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION 

Meningococcal Disease Update

On Monday, March 10, a Drexel University student tragically died from serogroup B meningococcal disease. CDC’s laboratory analysis shows that the strain in Princeton University’s serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak matches the strain in the Drexel University case by “genetic fingerprinting.” This information suggests that the outbreak strain may still be present in the Princeton University community and we need to be vigilant for additional cases.

As with all cases of meningococcal disease, the local health department quickly and thoroughly investigated who has been in close contact with the Drexel University student prior to illness onset. Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent additional cases of meningococcal disease was recommended and administered to those who had or may have had close contact. To date, no related cases among Drexel University students have been reported.

The public health investigation of the Drexel University student revealed that the student had been in close contact with students from Princeton University about a week before becoming ill. Princeton University has been experiencing a serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak.

A high percentage of Princeton University undergraduates and eligible graduate students received 2 doses of the investigational serogroup B vaccine as part of a recent vaccination effort at Princeton University. There are currently no serogroup B vaccines licensed (approved) in the United States. Those who have received the investigational vaccine have likely protected themselves from getting sick (there have been no new cases among Princeton University students since the vaccination campaign began on December 9, 2013). Available data show most adolescents that get 2 doses of this vaccine are protected from getting meningococcal disease. However, vaccinated individuals may still be able to carry the bacteria in their throats, which could infect others through close contact.

The local health department and Drexel University are taking all the recommended steps to prevent additional cases. Because Drexel University is not experiencing an outbreak of serogroup B meningococcal disease, members of that community are not considered to be at increased risk.  The investigational serogroup B vaccine is not currently available to the Drexel University community.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and determine next steps while local health authorities remain vigilant to recognizing and promptly treating any new cases. At this time, CDC does not recommend limiting social interactions or canceling travel plans as a preventive measure for meningococcal disease.

We recognize that when cases of meningococcal disease occur, there is increased concern about the potential spread of disease and desire to take appropriate steps to prevent additional cases. There is no evidence that family members and the community are at increased risk of getting meningococcal disease from casual contact with Princeton University students, faculty, or staff. Although transmission is from person-to-person, this organism is not highly contagious and requires sharing respiratory and oral secretions to spread. Those at highest risk for disease are people who have had close, prolonged, or face-to-face contact with someone who has meningococcal disease.

Students at both Universities should be especially vigilant to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent treatment if suspected. Symptoms may include sudden onset of a high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, or a rash. Handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes are also good practices to follow.

NAVY STUDY LOOKS TO FIND NEW MALARIA VACCINE

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Navy Study May Lead to Malaria Vaccine
Dana Crudo  |  Health.mil
August 29, 2013

The Navy made medical history with its release of promising research results that may lead the way to a much-needed malaria vaccine.

The breakthrough research published in the journal Science on Aug. 8 includes results of a human clinical trial of a malaria vaccine developed by the Navy Medical Research Center and federal and industry collaborators. The trial showed 100 percent protection against the disease.

“This is a historical moment in malaria vaccine research development,” said Capt. Judith Epstein, lead investigator of the trial at the Navy Medical Research Center. “For the first time, we and our collaborators have a malaria vaccine approach which has demonstrated the high-level vaccine efficacy required to protect our troops.”

This is no easy feat. The malaria parasite is incredibly complex, making it particularly difficult to develop a vaccine, researchers say.

The Defense Department has been dedicated to solving the malaria riddle since World War II because of its significant impact on U.S. military operations throughout history. Malaria continues to present major challenges to troops in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where it is rampant.

However, malaria is not a problem unique to the military. It is a major global health concern, with the World Health Organization reporting 216 million cases of malaria and an estimated 655,000 deaths in 2010.

Despite the significant need, there currently is no approved vaccine against malaria.

The latest research by the Navy provides hope that a vaccine soon will be available to effectively combat malaria within the military and beyond.

“I see the Navy paving the way to a vaccine which can be used within the next three- to four years for military personnel and for the millions of individuals suffering and dying from malaria worldwide,” Epstein said.

The vaccine used in the clinical trial was given at varied doses by intravenous injection to 40 volunteers from October 2011 to October 2012. Navy researchers played a key role in the design of the study, particularly the assessment of vaccine efficacy and volunteer follow up.

HHS ARTICLE ON VACCINATION AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

FROM:   U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Infection with the human papillomavirus, or HPV, can lead to cancers of the cervix and throat, as well as other body parts. However, a vaccine protects against forms of HPV that most frequently cause cancer.  At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researcher Shannon Stokley:

“The HPV vaccine series consists of three doses, and it’s recommended that all girls and boys receive this vaccine at age 11 or 12.”

Stokley adds that it’s not too late to get vaccinated even up to age 26.  But the vaccine has been out since 2006, and she says coverage is still very low – partly because people don’t know about it and its benefits.