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Institut Pasteur Launches ACT-CHIK to Advance Chikungunya Vaccine Development in Africa

Institut Pasteur Launches ACT-CHIK to Advance Chikungunya Vaccine Development in Africa

Institut Pasteur has initiated a four-year research project named ACT-CHIK, aimed at advancing the development of a chikungunya vaccine in Africa. Funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, the project has received €15.3 million to support large-scale Phase Ib/III clinical trials in Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. The vaccine, MV-CHIK, is a measles-virus-based candidate originally developed at Institut Pasteur. The initiative seeks to address the growing burden of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, by generating critical clinical data and preparing for regional vaccine manufacturing. The project also aims to transfer vaccine manufacturing technology to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Africa’s only WHO-prequalified vaccine manufacturer.

The 2026 Dark Horse Storyline Casual U.S. Fans Should Watch For

The 2026 Dark Horse Storyline Casual U.S. Fans Should Watch For

Beyond the obvious favorites, the most compelling storyline for the 2026 World Cup is the rise of African nations as genuine contenders.

Trump’s cuts at sea could make the coming super El Niño harder to predict

Trump’s cuts at sea could make the coming super El Niño harder to predict

The world’s “eyes and ears of the ocean" monitor storms, climate, and biodiversity. Now they’re being “descoped.”

Ebola Expert Warns of Potential Nightmare Scenario as Outbreak Escalates

Ebola Expert Warns of Potential Nightmare Scenario as Outbreak Escalates

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently experiencing the third-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, with over 1,000 reported cases and 233 confirmed deaths. Simon Mardel, an emergency medical professional and Ebola expert, has expressed concerns that the outbreak may have started earlier than previously believed, potentially leading to hundreds of undetected carriers. Mardel highlights the critical gap between documented and actual Ebola carriers, warning of 'unrecognized chains of transmission' that could exacerbate the situation. The outbreak has already spread beyond the DRC into Uganda, and Mardel fears it could reach Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, which could lead to a disaster similar to the 2014 outbreak that claimed over 11,000 lives.

Nigeria's Energy Transition Pathway to be Discussed at 2026 Oriental News Conference

Nigeria's Energy Transition Pathway to be Discussed at 2026 Oriental News Conference

The 2026 Oriental News national conference will focus on Nigeria's renewable energy strategy as part of its broader energy transition plan. The conference, themed 'Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonization Initiatives In Nigeria’s Extractive Industry,' will bring together energy companies, experts, and government agencies to discuss reducing carbon emissions. The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will lead discussions on expanding renewable energy development to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The conference will address challenges such as grid fragility and reliance on petrol and diesel generators, with a focus on decentralized solar power and green manufacturing.

Uganda Closes Congo Border Amid Ebola Fears, Impacting Traders

Uganda Closes Congo Border Amid Ebola Fears, Impacting Traders

Uganda has closed its western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of Congo. This decision, made on May 28, aims to prevent the spread of the virus into Uganda. The closure has significantly affected traders, particularly at the Mpondwe border post, where goods such as plantains and fish are stuck in transit. Traders like Leah Masika and Sylvia Asiimwe express frustration as their perishable goods risk spoiling due to the halted movement of cargo trucks. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency but advised against border closures, although it acknowledges the high risk of contagion to neighboring countries. Uganda has confirmed 15 Ebola cases linked to the outbreak, prompting authorities to tighten border measures further.

Health workers at the epicenter of Congo's Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest

Health workers at the epicenter of Congo's Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest

Health workers inside Mongbwalu, the epicenter of Congo's outbreak, say they are working with little pay or rest

Cambridge Team Completes Phase 1 Trial of AI-Designed Universal Coronavirus Vaccine

Cambridge Team Completes Phase 1 Trial of AI-Designed Universal Coronavirus Vaccine

A research team from the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with DIOSynVax (DVX) Ltd, has successfully completed a Phase 1 human trial of an AI-designed universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine, known as pEVAC-PS. The trial, which was open-label and dose-escalation in nature, involved 39 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50. The vaccine, which is DNA-based and administered via a needle-free microfluidic jet system, was found to be safe and well tolerated. Participants developed immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, SARS, and related bat coronaviruses. The core antigen of the vaccine was designed using machine learning to create a 'super-antigen' targeting conserved features across the virus family. The study was conducted at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facilities in Southampton and Cambridge.

AI-Designed Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Successfully Completes First Human Trial

AI-Designed Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Successfully Completes First Human Trial

A new universal coronavirus vaccine, developed using artificial intelligence, has successfully passed its first human clinical trial. Created by researchers at the University of Cambridge and DIOSynVax Ltd, the vaccine was tested on 39 healthy volunteers and found to be safe with no significant side effects. Unlike traditional vaccines, this AI-designed vaccine targets multiple members of the Sarbeco coronavirus family, including SARS-CoV-2 and related bat coronaviruses. The trial demonstrated that the vaccine could stimulate immune responses against these viruses, marking a significant step toward broader protection against future outbreaks.

CDC Warns Central Africa's Ebola Outbreak Could Rival 2014 Crisis

CDC Warns Central Africa's Ebola Outbreak Could Rival 2014 Crisis

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning that the current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could escalate to levels similar to the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths. The CDC's analysis, based on computer models, suggests that the number of cases could range from 10,000 to over 20,000, depending on the effectiveness of public health interventions. The World Health Organization has already declared the outbreak a global health emergency. The situation is further complicated by ongoing armed conflicts in the region, which have led to significant population displacement, hindering efforts to control the spread of the virus.

Traders face big losses after Uganda closes Congo border over Ebola contagion fears

Traders face big losses after Uganda closes Congo border over Ebola contagion fears

Ugandan authorities have tightened border controls with Congo to prevent Ebola's spread

Cyprus Launches Water-Saving Initiative to Achieve Self-Sufficiency by 2050

Cyprus Launches Water-Saving Initiative to Achieve Self-Sufficiency by 2050

Cyprus has initiated a campaign to reduce household water consumption as part of a long-term strategy to enhance water security on the island. The 'Larnaca -26' initiative, unveiled at a recent press conference, urges residents to cut their daily water usage by 26 liters by September. This effort is in response to the average water consumption in Cyprus, which stands at 140 liters per person per day, higher than the European Union average of 124 to 125 liters. The campaign aims to save approximately 9.5 cubic meters of water per person annually, translating to nearly 38 cubic meters for a family of four. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to address the challenges posed by recurring droughts and climate change, despite improved rainfall this year. The government is also investing in infrastructure, including new desalination projects and the distribution of water-saving devices, to secure future water supplies.