Also In Today’s News April 23
U.N. , U.S. Officials Learn More About Vietnam's Efforts To Contain Avian Influenza
Senior representatives from the United Nations System Influenza Coordination office and Robert Loftis, the U.S. special representative for avian and pandemic influenza, met with officials in Hanoi on Tuesday to learn more about Vietnam's efforts to combat avian influenza, Sai Gon Giai Phong reports (Thuy, Sai Gon Giai Phong, 4/23).
Long-Term Meningitis Vaccine May Help To Contain Meningitis
Vanguard on Thursday reported on a meningitis vaccine that will offer long-term protection against meningitis that may help to contain the spread of the disease throughout Nigeria and the meningitis belt-which stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia. The new vaccine will offer 10 years of protection, compared to the current meningitis vaccine, which lasts for three years (Amalu, Vanguard, 4/23).
More than 100,000 Nigerians Die Annually From TB, U.S. Officials Says at Opening of Nigeria's First TB Lab
More than 100,000 people die from tuberculosis annually in Nigeria, the country with the largest TB burden in Africa-Lisa Piascik, deputy chief of mission at the United States Embassy in Nigeria, said on Wednesday at the opening of the Tuberculosis Culture and Drug Sensitivity Laboratory in Calabar, Nigeria-This Day reports (This Day, 4/23). The laboratory is the first in the country and was built through a partnership between the U.S. government, Family Health International and the Cross River State government (Daily Trust, 4/23).
New Technology Allows Messages About HIV, TB To Piggy-Back on Cell PhoneText-Messages
Business Day on Thursday examined how new technology is being used to encourage cell phone users in Africa to get tested for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. A three-week trial of the campaign tripled the average daily call volume to the National AIDS Helpline in Johannesburg, according to Business Day (Stones, Business Day, 4/23).
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