Preventing Mother To Child HIV Transmission

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of children under 13 living with AIDS who were infected by their mothers, 66% were of African descent. This sobering 2005 statistic illustrates a huge problem in the African community with regard to pregnant HIV-positive women accessing drugs.
The risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is less than 2% with proper antiretroviral treatment and care. Nevertheless, the lack of access to medical services for an HIV-positive woman during pregnancy or labor can greatly increase the risk of infecting her child. Here’s what you need to know in preventing mother-to-child transmission:
• Mother-to-child transmission is the most common way children become infected with HIV.
• A woman can pass HIV to her baby while pregnant, during labor or through breastfeeding.
• Today, most pregnant women get an HIV test as part of their prenatal care.
• Antiretroviral drugs are now available to help prevent a baby from contracting HIV.
• When women do not get treatment, 13 babies out of 50 are at risk of contracting HIV.
• Only 1 baby out of 50 is at risk of being infected with HIV, when women begin treatment during pregnancy.
• A pregnant woman with HIV can opt to deliver her baby via cesarean section to help protect her baby from becoming infected with HIV.
• Breastfeeding should be avoided for mothers with HIV.
• Five babies out of 50 are at risk of getting HIV when women begin treatment during labor, or their babies get treatment soon after birth, or they both get treatment at these times.
In addition, there are two different testing approaches available: Opt-in (pre-HIV test counseling and an agreement to an HIV test) and Opt-out (HIV test included in standard prenatal tests and an agreement not to be tested).
For information about reducing HIV transmission from mother to child, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/1test2lives/materials.htm,
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/index.htm

Preventing Mother To Child HIV Transmission

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of children under 13 living with AIDS who were infected by their mothers, 66% were of African descent. This sobering 2005 statistic illustrates a huge problem in the African community with regard to pregnant HIV-positive women accessing drugs.
The risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is less than 2% with proper antiretroviral treatment and care. Nevertheless, the lack of access to medical services for an HIV-positive woman during pregnancy or labor can greatly increase the risk of infecting her child. Here’s what you need to know in preventing mother-to-child transmission:
• Mother-to-child transmission is the most common way children become infected with HIV.
• A woman can pass HIV to her baby while pregnant, during labor or through breastfeeding.
• Today, most pregnant women get an HIV test as part of their prenatal care.
• Antiretroviral drugs are now available to help prevent a baby from contracting HIV.
• When women do not get treatment, 13 babies out of 50 are at risk of contracting HIV.
• Only 1 baby out of 50 is at risk of being infected with HIV, when women begin treatment during pregnancy.
• A pregnant woman with HIV can opt to deliver her baby via cesarean section to help protect her baby from becoming infected with HIV.
• Breastfeeding should be avoided for mothers with HIV.
• Five babies out of 50 are at risk of getting HIV when women begin treatment during labor, or their babies get treatment soon after birth, or they both get treatment at these times.
In addition, there are two different testing approaches available: Opt-in (pre-HIV test counseling and an agreement to an HIV test) and Opt-out (HIV test included in standard prenatal tests and an agreement not to be tested).
For information about reducing HIV transmission from mother to child, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/1test2lives/materials.htm,
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/index.htm

7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Female Infertility

Infertility is a sensitive issue that can leave many women feeling alone in their unfulfilled dreams of getting pregnant and scientists are beginning to discover that even the most seemingly insignificant things can add up to sabotage your baby-making efforts.
In fact, a new study says stress can double a woman’s risk of infertility and something as simple as a 20-minute walk can help her chances. Getting pregnant is never easy (and not always sexy), so to dispel the stigma of infertility (and help you get lucky between the sheets this month), here are some other things you didn’t know.
1. Being Too Fit Can Hurt Fertility (Just Ask Norwegians).

In all medical matters, physical fitness is king. You can’t be too overweight to conceive and you can’t be too underweight to conceive. So the fitter the better, right? Well, not exactly. According to researchers at the Norwegian University Of Science And Technology, 7 percent of all Norwegian women have fertility issues. They conducted a study involving 3,000 women and found that having an exhaustive workout regimen was decreasing their fertility.
2. Uh-Oh For Having A Blood Type O.

Scientists from Yale University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that among female fertility patients in their 30s, those with type O were twice as likely as other blood types to have a hormone profile that made their ovaries seem older than their age.
 Your Fertility Problems Can Bring You Closer Together.

If you worry that the stress of trying to conceive will take a toll on your relationship, we have some promising research to allay your fears: Infertility problems can actually bring you closer together. Findings in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology, indicate that after 12 years of follow-up, couples who were able to overcome their fertility problems were more intimately bonded through a perception of joint hardship — a concept known as “marital benefit.”

4. Stronger Bones, Weaker Ovaries?

Women are encouraged to drink milk for stronger bones, but do we sacrifice our ovaries in the process? One Harvard-affiliated study found that women who eat lots of low-fat dairy products face an 85 percent higher risk of ovulatory infertility than women who consume little or no low-fat dairy products.

5. A Lack Of Sunlight Can Affect Your Fertility.

There must be something to the summer being the “season of love” after all. Scientists at Austria’s University of Graz conducted a study and found that women have been found to ovulate less and their eggs have a reduced chance of implanting in the womb — in the winter months. Vitamin D helps boost levels of the female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen by 13 percent and 21 percent respectively, regulating menstrual cycles and making conception more likely.

6. Here’s A Serious Reason To Floss.

No one likes the dentist, but you’d never realize how keeping your pearly whites clean can affect your chances of getting pregnant. Periodontal (gum) disease delays a positive pregnancy test by two months or more, found an Australian study. They found that women with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant — two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive. Swollen gums and deep pockets around the teeth breed bacteria, which enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation — potentially reducing an embryo’s chances of implantation.

7. Cut Back On The Popcorn.

Your late night snacking habit could be hurting your chances for kids in the long run. A study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the chemicals in the bag lining accumulate in your bloodstream through the popcorn. And it’s not just microwaveable popcorn — it’s hiding in Teflon and other stain- and stick-resistant materials. What’s even scarier is that the chemical is detectable in the blood of 95 percent of Americans. So pop your own kernels!
Source: yourtango.com

7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Female Infertility

Infertility is a sensitive issue that can leave many women feeling alone in their unfulfilled dreams of getting pregnant and scientists are beginning to discover that even the most seemingly insignificant things can add up to sabotage your baby-making efforts.
In fact, a new study says stress can double a woman’s risk of infertility and something as simple as a 20-minute walk can help her chances. Getting pregnant is never easy (and not always sexy), so to dispel the stigma of infertility (and help you get lucky between the sheets this month), here are some other things you didn’t know.
1. Being Too Fit Can Hurt Fertility (Just Ask Norwegians).

In all medical matters, physical fitness is king. You can’t be too overweight to conceive and you can’t be too underweight to conceive. So the fitter the better, right? Well, not exactly. According to researchers at the Norwegian University Of Science And Technology, 7 percent of all Norwegian women have fertility issues. They conducted a study involving 3,000 women and found that having an exhaustive workout regimen was decreasing their fertility.
2. Uh-Oh For Having A Blood Type O.

Scientists from Yale University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that among female fertility patients in their 30s, those with type O were twice as likely as other blood types to have a hormone profile that made their ovaries seem older than their age.
 Your Fertility Problems Can Bring You Closer Together.

If you worry that the stress of trying to conceive will take a toll on your relationship, we have some promising research to allay your fears: Infertility problems can actually bring you closer together. Findings in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology, indicate that after 12 years of follow-up, couples who were able to overcome their fertility problems were more intimately bonded through a perception of joint hardship — a concept known as “marital benefit.”

4. Stronger Bones, Weaker Ovaries?

Women are encouraged to drink milk for stronger bones, but do we sacrifice our ovaries in the process? One Harvard-affiliated study found that women who eat lots of low-fat dairy products face an 85 percent higher risk of ovulatory infertility than women who consume little or no low-fat dairy products.

5. A Lack Of Sunlight Can Affect Your Fertility.

There must be something to the summer being the “season of love” after all. Scientists at Austria’s University of Graz conducted a study and found that women have been found to ovulate less and their eggs have a reduced chance of implanting in the womb — in the winter months. Vitamin D helps boost levels of the female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen by 13 percent and 21 percent respectively, regulating menstrual cycles and making conception more likely.

6. Here’s A Serious Reason To Floss.

No one likes the dentist, but you’d never realize how keeping your pearly whites clean can affect your chances of getting pregnant. Periodontal (gum) disease delays a positive pregnancy test by two months or more, found an Australian study. They found that women with gum disease took an average of just over seven months to become pregnant — two months longer than the average of five months that it took women without gum disease to conceive. Swollen gums and deep pockets around the teeth breed bacteria, which enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation — potentially reducing an embryo’s chances of implantation.

7. Cut Back On The Popcorn.

Your late night snacking habit could be hurting your chances for kids in the long run. A study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the chemicals in the bag lining accumulate in your bloodstream through the popcorn. And it’s not just microwaveable popcorn — it’s hiding in Teflon and other stain- and stick-resistant materials. What’s even scarier is that the chemical is detectable in the blood of 95 percent of Americans. So pop your own kernels!
Source: yourtango.com

5 Foods That Increase Sperm Count

Deciding to have a child is a major part of a couple’s life path together, but when issues arise during the conception period, the fertility rate of both partners is often explored. When it comes to men, research has shown that 90% of male infertility issues stem from not being able to produce enough sperm.
There are several treatments and medications on the market to help increase sperm production, but this issue can be handled naturally. Scientists have linked a proper diet and exercise to the increase in sperm production, and the following foods contribute majorly towards the development of these necessary life-bearing cells. Want to keep your sperm count high? Try incorporating these five foods into your diet!
1. Walnuts
Walnuts contain abundant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to increase sperm count. Sprinkle a few of these tasty treats over a salad, or grab a handful for an afternoon snack. They may be small, but these nuts pack a big punch when it comes to the production of the little swimmers.
2. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are more than just a good snack during the fall season. These delectable seeds contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which can help shrink an enlarged prostate and improve testosterone production. Who knew that such a small seed could help with keeping the prostate healthy and maintain balanced levels of male hormones for sperm cell production! Pumpkin seeds are also great in salads or as a standalone snack in between meals.
3. Ginseng
This powerful herb has been used for centuries by Asian men to help with virility. Ginseng stimulates the hypothalamus, the area in the brain that is responsible for the production of the body’s sex hormones, and helps maintain a proper level of testosterone and aids in proper blood circulation. Ginseng also assists the sexual organs in producing higher amounts of sperm cells. Ginseng can be ingested as a tea or it can be taken as an herbal supplement. Speak with your physician before adding ginseng to your daily diet to ensure your safety when using this herb with other medications that may be used for your medical treatments.
4. Garlic
Garlic has been used in many natural remedies to treat everything from the common cold to cardiovascular disease, so there is no surprise that researchers have also linked this flavorful herb to helping in the department of sperm production. Spice up your favorite dishes with a bit of garlic and move into increased fertility!
5. Goji Berries
Overheating is one of the reasons for a low sperm count in men. Doctors recommend gojis as a food to help increase sperm productions because these bright red berries help to improve circulation as well as to maintain healthy temperature levels in the male reproductive organs. Goji berries contain antioxidants that help fight oxidative damage to help further facilitate a healthy sperm production.

5 Foods That Increase Sperm Count

Deciding to have a child is a major part of a couple’s life path together, but when issues arise during the conception period, the fertility rate of both partners is often explored. When it comes to men, research has shown that 90% of male infertility issues stem from not being able to produce enough sperm.
There are several treatments and medications on the market to help increase sperm production, but this issue can be handled naturally. Scientists have linked a proper diet and exercise to the increase in sperm production, and the following foods contribute majorly towards the development of these necessary life-bearing cells. Want to keep your sperm count high? Try incorporating these five foods into your diet!
1. Walnuts
Walnuts contain abundant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to increase sperm count. Sprinkle a few of these tasty treats over a salad, or grab a handful for an afternoon snack. They may be small, but these nuts pack a big punch when it comes to the production of the little swimmers.
2. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are more than just a good snack during the fall season. These delectable seeds contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which can help shrink an enlarged prostate and improve testosterone production. Who knew that such a small seed could help with keeping the prostate healthy and maintain balanced levels of male hormones for sperm cell production! Pumpkin seeds are also great in salads or as a standalone snack in between meals.
3. Ginseng
This powerful herb has been used for centuries by Asian men to help with virility. Ginseng stimulates the hypothalamus, the area in the brain that is responsible for the production of the body’s sex hormones, and helps maintain a proper level of testosterone and aids in proper blood circulation. Ginseng also assists the sexual organs in producing higher amounts of sperm cells. Ginseng can be ingested as a tea or it can be taken as an herbal supplement. Speak with your physician before adding ginseng to your daily diet to ensure your safety when using this herb with other medications that may be used for your medical treatments.
4. Garlic
Garlic has been used in many natural remedies to treat everything from the common cold to cardiovascular disease, so there is no surprise that researchers have also linked this flavorful herb to helping in the department of sperm production. Spice up your favorite dishes with a bit of garlic and move into increased fertility!
5. Goji Berries
Overheating is one of the reasons for a low sperm count in men. Doctors recommend gojis as a food to help increase sperm productions because these bright red berries help to improve circulation as well as to maintain healthy temperature levels in the male reproductive organs. Goji berries contain antioxidants that help fight oxidative damage to help further facilitate a healthy sperm production.

How Male Infertility and Stress are linked

Male Infertility forms 40% of the total infertility. The reasons are many, from low sperm count, immotile sperm to abnormal shaped sperm. For long infertility experts were advising to stop smoking, restrict alcohol intake, cut flab which were generic for the couple. Now there seems growing evidence that stress stands as an additional risk factor for both male and female infertility. Researchers had made a point that if you are strewed out your ‘nuts’ cannot produce enough ‘juice’. The research not only pointed out at the low quantity of sperm but also the quality of it. This was the first time that researchers drew proper subjective and objective measures to relate stress with male infertility. It was already a known fact that stress has huge contribution towards heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, now male infertility is added to its list.
In a latest study which was published in the journal of Fertility and Sterility led by researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York, NY, and Rutgers School of Public Health in Piscataway, NJ, the team investigated whether stress may affect sperm and semen quality. The researchers were able to draw conclusion that if a man has two or more stressful events in the past one year it adversely affects the quantity of the sperm and its morphology when compared to a man who had not stressful events.
There was no clear picture about the events that led to low sperm product and manufacturing of abnormal sperm morphology. Although it was known that stress releases glucocorticoids that affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein which are essential to produce testosterone. So if the testosterone is lesser that would affect the production of sperm. The other known fact was about oxidative stress that fails to neutralize the free radicals which has been associated with poor semen quality and thus infertility. It also seems logical to conclude that the couple who fail to achieve the expected goal of reproduction will experience feelings of frustration and disappointment. This adds further to their stress and the cycle sets in. So do you blame it on Stress and keep worrying or act on it.
Hey boys, it is time to work towards a stress and worry free life.

How Male Infertility and Stress are linked

Male Infertility forms 40% of the total infertility. The reasons are many, from low sperm count, immotile sperm to abnormal shaped sperm. For long infertility experts were advising to stop smoking, restrict alcohol intake, cut flab which were generic for the couple. Now there seems growing evidence that stress stands as an additional risk factor for both male and female infertility. Researchers had made a point that if you are strewed out your ‘nuts’ cannot produce enough ‘juice’. The research not only pointed out at the low quantity of sperm but also the quality of it. This was the first time that researchers drew proper subjective and objective measures to relate stress with male infertility. It was already a known fact that stress has huge contribution towards heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, now male infertility is added to its list.
In a latest study which was published in the journal of Fertility and Sterility led by researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York, NY, and Rutgers School of Public Health in Piscataway, NJ, the team investigated whether stress may affect sperm and semen quality. The researchers were able to draw conclusion that if a man has two or more stressful events in the past one year it adversely affects the quantity of the sperm and its morphology when compared to a man who had not stressful events.
There was no clear picture about the events that led to low sperm product and manufacturing of abnormal sperm morphology. Although it was known that stress releases glucocorticoids that affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein which are essential to produce testosterone. So if the testosterone is lesser that would affect the production of sperm. The other known fact was about oxidative stress that fails to neutralize the free radicals which has been associated with poor semen quality and thus infertility. It also seems logical to conclude that the couple who fail to achieve the expected goal of reproduction will experience feelings of frustration and disappointment. This adds further to their stress and the cycle sets in. So do you blame it on Stress and keep worrying or act on it.
Hey boys, it is time to work towards a stress and worry free life.

Julius Malema 'must apply for visa' to visit Botswana- Official

TVC NEWS [GABORONE]- All efforts by the South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in gaining access into Botswana still in futility despite his diplomatic passport and may miss an opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) event next month.
Malema is expected to launch UDC’s candidate for Borokanelo ward in Molepolope North, Arafat Khan, but could miss the event because of visa restrictions. Molepolole is Botswana’s biggest village and lies in the south east of the country.
Malema, a known critic of President Ian Khama, is now a Member of Parliament in South Africa and holds a diplomatic passport. But the
Botswana government this week reiterated that the ban still stood.
Ikwatlhaeng Bagopi, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, told the Telegraph that the visa restrictions against the former Africa National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader had not been lifted.
“Malema will have to apply for a visa since he was slapped with visa restrictions. As you are aware, the diplomatic passport he is in
possession of was given to him by the South African government and that does not mean it will afford him the liberty to come to Botswana without applying for a visa,” said Bagopi.
According to the weekly publication, the EFF had written a letter to the South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Mdu Lembede, seeking assistance on smoothing Malema’s visa application.
The letter indicated further that Malema would be coming to Botswana with other members of the party in September.
Last year, the EFF leader had to call off a trip to Botswana after the Botswana National Front (BNF) leadership vowed never to allow the
leader, who had been expelled from the ANC, to address their party’s youth.
The BNF Youth League had invited the firebrand leader to be a guest at their congress.
The party’s leadership feared the volatile Malema would use his party’s platform to settle scores with the ANC.
The last time Malema visited Botswana he attacked President Khama resulting in the visa restriction.

Julius Malema 'must apply for visa' to visit Botswana- Official

TVC NEWS [GABORONE]- All efforts by the South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in gaining access into Botswana still in futility despite his diplomatic passport and may miss an opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) event next month.
Malema is expected to launch UDC’s candidate for Borokanelo ward in Molepolope North, Arafat Khan, but could miss the event because of visa restrictions. Molepolole is Botswana’s biggest village and lies in the south east of the country.
Malema, a known critic of President Ian Khama, is now a Member of Parliament in South Africa and holds a diplomatic passport. But the
Botswana government this week reiterated that the ban still stood.
Ikwatlhaeng Bagopi, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, told the Telegraph that the visa restrictions against the former Africa National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader had not been lifted.
“Malema will have to apply for a visa since he was slapped with visa restrictions. As you are aware, the diplomatic passport he is in
possession of was given to him by the South African government and that does not mean it will afford him the liberty to come to Botswana without applying for a visa,” said Bagopi.
According to the weekly publication, the EFF had written a letter to the South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Mdu Lembede, seeking assistance on smoothing Malema’s visa application.
The letter indicated further that Malema would be coming to Botswana with other members of the party in September.
Last year, the EFF leader had to call off a trip to Botswana after the Botswana National Front (BNF) leadership vowed never to allow the
leader, who had been expelled from the ANC, to address their party’s youth.
The BNF Youth League had invited the firebrand leader to be a guest at their congress.
The party’s leadership feared the volatile Malema would use his party’s platform to settle scores with the ANC.
The last time Malema visited Botswana he attacked President Khama resulting in the visa restriction.

Ebola Epidemic Said to Be Spreading in West Africa

350 people in West Africa have died from Ebola since the beginning of the year – more than ever before. Experts are trying to contain the fatal virus that has spread from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
It seems as though the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is turning into a regional catastrophe. The disease appeared there at the end of 2013 for the first time and the virus has now spread from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia. 60 centers of infection have been identified so far. According to Bart Janssen of Doctors Without Borders /Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), “The epidemic is out of control. As new centers emerge, the risk of a spread to other regions is very real at present.”
With 350 deaths, the epidemic has reached a new dimension. 280 people died during the last epidemic in 1976 in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) when the virus was initially discovered and named. Since then there have been small outbreaks in Central Africa. But this time the epidemic has spread across three borders, posing new challenges for the helpers on the ground.
Ape and rat meat not safe
The respective governments have been trying to prevent the disease from spreading any further. In Guinea authorities have banned the consumption and sale of meat from wild animals.
Wild animal meat may carry the Ebola pathogen.
Ape, bat, antelope and rat are regarded as delicacies but all of them bear the risk of potentially transmitting the Ebola pathogen. People from other parts of the country often travel to the affected regions to buy the meat of animals living in the wild and this could result in an even wider spread of the disease.
Stephan Becker is the head of the department for virology at Marburg University in Germany. He believes many people contract the disease at funerals where the deceased have died of Ebola. When the dead are washed and prepared for the funeral, the bodies are often embraced by relatives. Such personal contact may result in an infection as the fatal virus is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.
Skepticism within the population
Some of Becker’s colleagues have been in West Africa for months to help in the fight against Ebola. The German scientists have been visiting villages to test sick people for the virus as part of the European Mobile Laboratory Project. This is very important as infected people should not be nursed at home but taken to a quarantine facility. Infected corpses should be buried with special care and without being touched. These precautions are necessary to stop further infections and to contain the epidemic.
“We see that the population do not trust us,” Becker told DW. “The people in the villages don’t believe in a virus infection. They think it is a curse – and for that Western medicine is useless in their eyes,” he said. Many people also feared they were signing their own death warrant if they agreed to go to quarantine facilities.
60 percent of all people infected with Ebola die – but up to 40 percent could be saved, Becker stresses. “It is certain that we can help people much better with intensive medical care than if they stay at home.”
However, aid workers must fight not only the Ebola virus but also the population’s skepticism.
The Ebola virus
For Stephan Becker the key lies in educational campaigns and in training more local staff who could join foreign experts in performing the Ebola tests and explain the risks of infection. According to Becker, the present epidemic is far from over. “I assume this situation will continue for several months”, he told DW.
No vaccine to this day
The Ebola experts from Marburg who are now in West Africa are reinforced by MSF which has 300 specialists in the region. Guinea, the country that has been hit hardest, is the main area of operations. Ebola is one of the most highly infectious diseases in the world – for which there is no efficient vaccine.

Ebola Epidemic Said to Be Spreading in West Africa

350 people in West Africa have died from Ebola since the beginning of the year – more than ever before. Experts are trying to contain the fatal virus that has spread from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
It seems as though the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is turning into a regional catastrophe. The disease appeared there at the end of 2013 for the first time and the virus has now spread from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia. 60 centers of infection have been identified so far. According to Bart Janssen of Doctors Without Borders /Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), “The epidemic is out of control. As new centers emerge, the risk of a spread to other regions is very real at present.”
With 350 deaths, the epidemic has reached a new dimension. 280 people died during the last epidemic in 1976 in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) when the virus was initially discovered and named. Since then there have been small outbreaks in Central Africa. But this time the epidemic has spread across three borders, posing new challenges for the helpers on the ground.
Ape and rat meat not safe
The respective governments have been trying to prevent the disease from spreading any further. In Guinea authorities have banned the consumption and sale of meat from wild animals.
Wild animal meat may carry the Ebola pathogen.
Ape, bat, antelope and rat are regarded as delicacies but all of them bear the risk of potentially transmitting the Ebola pathogen. People from other parts of the country often travel to the affected regions to buy the meat of animals living in the wild and this could result in an even wider spread of the disease.
Stephan Becker is the head of the department for virology at Marburg University in Germany. He believes many people contract the disease at funerals where the deceased have died of Ebola. When the dead are washed and prepared for the funeral, the bodies are often embraced by relatives. Such personal contact may result in an infection as the fatal virus is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids.
Skepticism within the population
Some of Becker’s colleagues have been in West Africa for months to help in the fight against Ebola. The German scientists have been visiting villages to test sick people for the virus as part of the European Mobile Laboratory Project. This is very important as infected people should not be nursed at home but taken to a quarantine facility. Infected corpses should be buried with special care and without being touched. These precautions are necessary to stop further infections and to contain the epidemic.
“We see that the population do not trust us,” Becker told DW. “The people in the villages don’t believe in a virus infection. They think it is a curse – and for that Western medicine is useless in their eyes,” he said. Many people also feared they were signing their own death warrant if they agreed to go to quarantine facilities.
60 percent of all people infected with Ebola die – but up to 40 percent could be saved, Becker stresses. “It is certain that we can help people much better with intensive medical care than if they stay at home.”
However, aid workers must fight not only the Ebola virus but also the population’s skepticism.
The Ebola virus
For Stephan Becker the key lies in educational campaigns and in training more local staff who could join foreign experts in performing the Ebola tests and explain the risks of infection. According to Becker, the present epidemic is far from over. “I assume this situation will continue for several months”, he told DW.
No vaccine to this day
The Ebola experts from Marburg who are now in West Africa are reinforced by MSF which has 300 specialists in the region. Guinea, the country that has been hit hardest, is the main area of operations. Ebola is one of the most highly infectious diseases in the world – for which there is no efficient vaccine.

$170 million lost in Kenyatta's office scandal, says Raila

TVC NEWS, KENYA - Up to Sh15 billion was taken by officials at the Office of the President, Cord leader Raila Odinga has said.
Mr Odinga said the officials went on a looting spree as they panicked over the possibility of losing power in the 2013 General Election.
He told the Nation Wednesday that although auditors had only confirmed the shocking transfer of Sh8.4 billion through dubious accounts, he had information of the massive looting that happened during the transition period.
The former Prime Minister said billions of the looted cash were used to compromise individuals leading various institutions involved in
electioneering and to finance Jubilee campaigns.
“This is theft of the highest order. We always suspected that the Jubilee coalition looted public coffers to fund its campaign during the
last General Election. Our fears have now been confirmed,” he said.
The scandal explains the government’s current financial woes, he added.

$170 million lost in Kenyatta's office scandal, says Raila

TVC NEWS, KENYA - Up to Sh15 billion was taken by officials at the Office of the President, Cord leader Raila Odinga has said.
Mr Odinga said the officials went on a looting spree as they panicked over the possibility of losing power in the 2013 General Election.
He told the Nation Wednesday that although auditors had only confirmed the shocking transfer of Sh8.4 billion through dubious accounts, he had information of the massive looting that happened during the transition period.
The former Prime Minister said billions of the looted cash were used to compromise individuals leading various institutions involved in
electioneering and to finance Jubilee campaigns.
“This is theft of the highest order. We always suspected that the Jubilee coalition looted public coffers to fund its campaign during the
last General Election. Our fears have now been confirmed,” he said.
The scandal explains the government’s current financial woes, he added.

Ebola: Spouses of dead Nigerian victims test positive

TVC NEWS ABUJA]- Nigeria's Minister of Health,. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said that there are two new confirmed cases of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
Chukwu at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday morning, said the confirmed cases had had secondary contact with the index case, the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer.
Chukwu said, “The two patients are spouses of those that had primary contacts with Sawyer. They are among the secondary contacts that have been under surveillance.
“This now brings to four the total number of Ebola patients currently under treatment at the isolation ward.
“This also means that the total number of cases of EVD cases so far reported in the country to 14.”
The minister also noted that five people have died of the viral disease in Nigeria while the number of those successfully managed and discharged also stands at five.
He stated that the Federal Government was working with the Lagos State Government and other partners to maintain vigilance and strengthen containment activities.