Time is of the essence

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

A ray of hope has come out with the announcement by the World Health Organization that vaccines against the deadly Ebola virus could be sent to the worst-hit countries in West Africa by the middle of next year.

The WHO announcement came shortly after the reports that a case of Ebola had also been found in Australia where Health Authorities are now trying to identify all those who may have come in contact with the victim, and also that the first case of death from the disease had been reported in Mali. Reports have also disclosed that more than 10,000 have been affected, and that the death toll from the virus is nearing the 5,000 mark.

The vaccines have been given the names of rVSV and ch Ad3, and are believed to be effective in preventing the virus from doing its worst on those affected. There is also some good news, like the recovery of the two American nurses, who were treated in the United States, and some others in Africa, while both Senegal and Nigeria have declared that they are Ebola-free.

The Ebola crisis has even affected the world market, especially the main ones in Europe. It is encouraging to note, however, that several countries are now working frantically to produce a combination that could counter the virus and, at the most, prevent it from infecting healthy individuals.

The countries where researchers are working on vaccines and cures for Ebola should be encouraged and supported by the rest because this is something that is of great importance to our generation. Like the plagues of olden times such as the so-called Black Death, Cholera, smallpox, and others, humankind must also find the antidote to counter this one, at the soonest possible time.*