The Federal Government, on Monday, unfolded plans to begin clinical trials on some possible Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) vaccines by candidates of the treatment research groups.
This is just as it launched about 30 Ebola containment vehicles as part of its efforts to sustain the country’s victory over the disease.
Supervising Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, who spoke in Abuja, at the launch of the containment vehicles, said this came in through efforts of the treatment research groups inaugurated to guide the ministry on research into preventive and curative treatments for EVD,
According to him, the disease, which seems prevalent in neighbouring countries like Guinea, Liberia and Sierraleon, still remains a threat to Nigeria.
Speaking on the containment vehicles, he said these were made available to ensure continued surveillance, preparedness and response in various ports of entry into the country.
He added that they would serve as a communication link between operation centres and surveillance offices within and across states.
“We are going ahead with our efforts to strengthen a number of reference laboratories spread across the six geographical regions to facilitate diagnosis of diseases. The EVD outbreak has also reinforced the need to strengthen the infection, prevention and control practices, as well as research in the country.
“As such, through the advice of the treatment research group, which was inaugurated to guide the ministry on research into preventive and curative treatments for EVD, we are also preparing to begin clinical trials on some candidate EVD vaccines.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment towards supporting states to establish isolation centres saying ‘‘at the federal level, we remain committed to supporting the states to establishing isolation centres and pre-positioning some of the materials required to begin to respond to outbreaks like that of the EVD.” Agency report
