In Africa, a Decline in New Ebola Cases Complicates Vaccine Development

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/health/ebbing-of-ebola-complicates-testing-of-vaccines.html?ref=health

Pollack, Andrew. "In Africa, a Decline in New Ebola Cases Complicates Vaccine Development." The New York Times 9 Jan. 2015: A4. Print.

For current event 11 I read the article: In Africa, a Decline in New Ebola Cases Complicates Vaccine Development by Andrew Pollack. This is one of the most positive articles that i have read on ebola since its return in 2014. This article was about scientists having trouble testing a potential vaccine and or cure on sick ebola patients. “For this reason, it’s very urgent that we get into the field very quickly to do these clinical trials, because if there are very, very, very few cases of ebola, as I’m sure you understand, it’s going to be difficult to test whether the vaccines work or not.” said Dr. Helen Rees from World Health Organization. Besides the fact that the have a possible vaccine and cure, it symbolizes a potential end to the ebola outbreak whether by the re-extinction of ebola or by the development of a cure.

This is extremely significant to humanity and our own lives contrary to what some might say. If this is the end of ebola that means it won't become the next smallpox or black death. Had ebola continued its course from mid 2014 there would most likely be so major changes in our society. Thankfully, due to governments and organizations worldwide, ebola outbreak was quickly under control and is extremely limited unlike the red fever from a popular TNT television show. If the ebola outbreak was anything like red fever then our world would be in a very different place than it is now.

Finally after reading the article i felt there were some minor but still visible areas for improvement. First the author failed to explain who the world health organization is and what their mission and goals include. Had he done this it would help readers understand W.H.O’s role in the war against ebola. Additionally if the author had spoken a bit more about the vaccines other than just stating they existed would have added tremendously to the publics knowledge of ebola. On top of that it could help future patients undecided on whether or not to become vaccinated for ebola after its final containment in the next year or two. To add onto the two vaccines in more advanced stages Johnson & Johnson is also developing a vaccine “A third vaccine, being developed by Johnson & Johnson, began early safety testing in volunteers this month. That company is also planning tests in West Africa.”. In conclusion the article was extremely well written and a heart lifting one to read adding to the hope that we may be near the end of ebola for the second and hopefully final time.