‘Ebola vaccine trials would not contract virus’

The head of the Disease Surveillance Unit of the Ghana Health Service(GHS), Mr Michael Agyabeng has explained that, there is no way people who participate in the Ebola Vaccine trials could contract the Ebola virus.

He said the component of the virus in the vaccine is synthetic and not natural and so would not affect the health of the participants in the trial.

Mr Agyabeng said currently, vigorous public education on the vaccine is going on before any possible trial.

He was speaking at the formal opening of a training of trainers workshop for 50 border personnel on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) detection, prevention, management and control at the borders of the country, at Koforidua.

The participants at the workshop are from the Ghana Port Health Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Revenue Authority, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The participants were selected from the branches of the participating institutions at the borders in Volta, Western, Brong Ahafo, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

He said, currently, there is no cure for Ebola and all the available drugs and vaccines are on trial.

Mr Agyabeng said current developments indicate that, a cure for a patient does not fully protect him since the virus could resurrect in other parts of the body, such as the eyes.

Mr Papa Kwao Mensah of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), organizers of the three day workshop, explained that, the aim of the project is to help strengthen the surveillance system in the country, especially at the entry points.

He said, the trainees are expected to go back and help train between 700 to 800 people on the Ebola disease on its early detection, management and prevention.

Mr Mensah said, Ghana is rated high in the prevention of EVD, but there is more room for improvement and the country should not be complacent but work to maintain the status.