WRaPMarching towards a HIV/AIDS free- futureUp

Walter In this issue

Reed s Moving up with research studies 2 s DHIS in NMOD-USDOD Program 3 s Commmon 4 Program s JWARG in Nigeria 6 s Infectious diseases 10 Nigeria s And much more...

NewsletterofUSDepartmentofDefenseWalterReedProgram-Nigeria Vol. 5, End of FY 16 Edition 2016 Newsletter of U.S. Department of Defense Walter Reed Program-Nigeria (DoD WRP-N) FOREWORD

s the fiscal year comes to a bioresponse capability to challenges presented today. Aclose, the military to detect, provide surveillance The enduring military to military partnership reflects on a n d r e s p o n d t o f u t u r e military partnership between the past 12 months to look at infectious disease outbreaks Walter Reed and the Health our successes, challenges and that affect the military and the Implementation Programme way forward. communities in which they has a bright future and is poised serve. to continue to succeed in their The Walter Reed Program- ongoing and future missions, Nigeia (WRP-N) saw significant In missions all around the some of which are summarized growth in program activities country and sub-region, the in this newsletter. and added a new component, Nigerian military medical corps spearheaded by headquarters continues to respond to the call Thank you for your continued leadership, known as the Joint of duty, while the government support of our partnership. West African Research Group manages a significantly - Robbie Nelson (JWARG). In addtion to JWARG, reduced budget due to the Country Director the partnership is initiating a devaluation of the Naira, WRP-N second vaccine trial, and resulting from lower prices and a malaria slide bank protocol to production of crude oil. The enduring military to improve diagnosis, quality Notwithstanding, the NMOD military partnership between assurance and operational H e a l t h I m p l e m e n t a t i o n studies supported by PEPFAR. Programme (MOD HIP) remains Walter Reed and the Health an example of efficiency under Implementation Programme J WA R G f o c u s e s o n c o - a strong unity of command by has a bright future and is and scientific ensuring that the soldier and poised to continue to succeed information on program Nigeria can rely on a force that in their ongoing and future metrics preparing for a i s t a k i n g o n t h e m a ny missions.

From left: Mr. Robert Nelson, WRP-N Country Director, Brig. Gen. NA Hussain, HIP Director; and Mr. John Bray, U.S. Consul General RESEARCH Moving up with Research Studies RV 456e Ebola Vaccine Research stage involves follow-up of all study A meeting with few study V 4 5 6 e P r o t o c o l i s a participants and administration of participants during the second Rrandomized, observer-blind, vaccine to those who had received phase initiation showed that they placebo-controlled, two-part, placebo at commencement of the were well, comfortable and happy phase 2 study to evaluate the study. to continue participating in the s a f e t y , t o l e r a b i l i t y a n d study. Immunogenicity of two prime- T h e 1 2 m o n t h s s t u d y i s boost regimens of the candidate investigating the safety and As the program moves towards prophylactic vaccines for Ebola immune response of African adults investigative discoveries in the Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo to the Type 3-vectored Ebola Zaire area of public health, research (VAC5150EBL2003). vaccine. Nigeria is contributing studies are the tools which will 330 volunteers to the research help mitigate infectious diseases The objective of this study is to pool which is being conducted by outbreaks towards securing a assess the safety and tolerability of the Walter Reed Program-Nigeria. healthy global world. different vaccination schedules of Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo Tracking Development of Malaria Slide vaccines and to evaluate its Tracking involves a continuous Bank for External Quality immune response to the Ebola follow-up of study participants who Assessment Training vaccine. These vaccines are have missed their appointment or he NMOD/USDOD Program has expected to stimulate the body's cannot be reached on phone. Tcommenced preparations for immune system and provide Since the successful close of the another research study. The aim of protection against infections with first phase of the Ebola vaccine this study is to determine the the Ebola virus. A total of 575 research study, the Community accuracy of the Malaria Rapid volunteers will be enrolled in this Engagement team of the Clinical Diagnostic Test (MRDT) currently study which will be conducted in Research Center has been on the used in public sector clinics and Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, heels of study participants to hospitals. The study also aims to Mozambique and United States of locate them and track their develop a specimen bank of America. The Walter Reed general well-being. This is not an validated, fixed, stained and P r o g r a m - N i g e r i a ' s C l i n i c a l easy feat in this terrain where preserved blood smears for Research Centre in Abuja will addresses are not clearly defined training, testing, and quality enroll 50 healthy volunteers or allocated. By the end of the first a s s u r a n c e / a s s e s s m e n t o f including persons living with HIV. quarter of the year, all registered microscopic malaria diagnosis in participants for the vaccine study Nigeria. This study will be This is the second of the studies on had come for their scheduled conducted in six NMOD/USDOD Ebola vaccine to be conducted by month-6 visit and were unblinded Program sites and will enroll about the NMOD/USDOD Program as (in revelation of the type of vaccine 300 participants. par t of its effor ts toward administered to the study preparedness against infectious participants). disease outbreaks. The Ebola epidemic hit Nigeria in 2014 and the NMOD/USDOD Program has been at the fore-front to find lasting solutions to infectious disease outbreaks in the region and also to advance research studies.

RV 429 Ebola Vaccine Research V 429 Protocol is a Phase 2, Rrandomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-country, cross-over study which has entered i t s s e c o n d s t a g e o f implementation. This second

2 PINTEPEFRAVRIE:W CLINICAL District Health Information System (DHIS) IGA at Program Sites he NMOD-USDOD Program has The Program has since then he USDOD Walter Reed Tsuccessfully implemented adopted the use of the DHIS2 for TProgram- Nigeria and the Programme Health Information data management in the Program H e a l t h I m p l e m e n t a t i o n Management System (ProHIMS) and subsequently, data reporting Programme (DOD WRP-N/MOD- using DHIS2 in its Program sites. has become automated. Benefits HIP) has once again improved from this innovative venture health outcomes in its Program In a two-week training in May 2016, include: decreased transcription sites with the provision of items data officers and site managers from errors, improved reporting rates, that will generate income for all of the Program’s comprehensive and improved quality of program People Living with HIV (PLHIV) - and selected satellite sites were data. Income Generating Activities (IGA). trained on effective use of the DHIS2. In May 2016, USDOD WRP-N/MOD The DHIS2 was developed primarily Additionally, it has led to improved HIP procured office furniture for its to serve in the area of aggregating data management as site staff and supported sites and support group health information and data on a very Programme managers can now offices. These support groups large scale. DHIS 2 enables users to access data in real time and provide avenues for rehabilitating collect, manage and analyze observe important trends which aid and supporting clients to have a transactional, case-based data in decision making. s e n s e o f b e l o n g i n g a n d records. sustainability. 12 sites benefitted - Navy Lt. C. Eneja from this project aimed at improving the quality of clinical care given to its clients and ensure effective service delivery in the sites. Items donated include tables, chairs, bookshelves, fans and other equipment such as sewing machines and hair dryers which will improve the quality of services accessed by HIV patients at the facility. Program activities continue with monitoring and standardization of site activities through SIMS (Site Improvement Monitoring System) visits. - Dr. Ismail Lawal Esther Essien LABORATORY Equipment Update at DRL he NMOD/USDOD Program has degree centigrade, Tupgraded its equipment at the human samples can Defense Reference Laboratory Abuja b e s t o r e d a n d with a new Liquid Nitrogen Generator preserved for many (LN2) M280X2. This is another feat years. The LN2 has for the Program, as it is the first non- been installed and govermental organization to own and commissioned and provide this service in Nigeria. The will ser ve as a LN2 M280X2 is of a higher capacity in biorepository for all comparison to the existing ones military hospitals, (NL280). The plant has the capacity research facilities to generate 80 litres of liquid and beyond. nitrogen per day. This liquid nitrogen is used for preservation of human samples in all research studies of the Ola Olabulo Program. At a temperature of -196 3 PMI ACTIVITIES Common Malaria alaria is a major public health are delivered by competent and 300,000 deaths each year. Mproblem in the world where at motivated staff, supported by Nigeria has a population of least 3.2 billion people are at risk of effective in-service training and a b o u t 17 2 m i l l i o n a n d contracting the disease annually. The supervision that maintains a high according to the Nigerian World Health Organization (WHO) level of staff competency and National Malaria Strategic Plan estimates that 90% of malaria deaths performance. This requires regular, 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 2 0 , m a l a r i a i s occur in Africa. Parasitological comprehensive malaria microscopy r e s p o n s i b l e fo r 6 0 % o f confirmation is a key component in refresher training programmes outpatient visits to health the case management of malaria and supplemented by competency facilities. The geographic WHO currently recommends that assessment and certification of location of Nigeria makes the parasites must be demonstrated in malaria microscopists. The five-day climate suitable for malaria blood before treatment is instituted. ECAMM course aimed to establish transmission throughout the Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) have core national and regional experts in country. The dominant malaria recently been introduced to malaria microscopy to promote the vector species in Nigeria are supplement malaria diagnosis in implementation of quality malaria Anopheles gambiae and a r e a s w h e r e Anopheles funestus. microscopy is not P l a s m o d i u m available, however, falciparum is the their use is limited m o s t p r e v a l e n t when fever is due to species (95%) of causes other than malaria parasites in malaria, and for Nigeria which is f o l l o w u p o f responsible for the p a t i e n t s a f t e r most severe forms of t r e a t m e n t . the disease. The other Microscopy-based types of malaria d i a g n o s i s o f parasite species m a l a r i a s t i l l found in the country remains the gold a r e P l a s m o d i u m s t a n d a r d f o r o v a l e a n d species identification, parasite diagnostic services in Africa. The Plasmodium malariae. quantification, management of assessment is in line with the severe and complicated malaria, and National Malaria Strategic Plan The ECAMM assessment assessing therapeutic efficacy of 2020 whose overall policy objective conducted in February, marks anti-malarial drugs. The quality of is to strengthen Nigeria's health the third of such trainings in microscopy is frequently inadequate, system for provision of effective, Nigeria. Nigeria through its as many fail to accurately detect efficient, quality, accessible and National Malaria Elimination malaria species to ensure good health affordable health services through Program (NMEP) Strategic Plan outcomes and reliable research continuous training of malaria (2014 - 2020), outlines the findings. m icrosco pi s ts fo r accur ate provision of a comprehensive parasitological confirmation of package of integrated malaria Early diagnosis and prompt, effective malaria infections. Participants at prevention and treatment treatment remain key for reducing the end of the training were services through community, malaria mortality and morbidity. To expected to identify and quantify all primary, secondary, and strengthen the capacity of laboratory malaria parasite stages and be tertiary levels. The strategy also workers for quality malaria diagnostic capable of differentiating pseudo- defines the roles of each health services in Nigeria, the Department of parasites and artifacts from true care worker relative to malaria Defense Walter Reed Program Nigeria malaria parasites. They would also case management and control (DODWRPN) in collaboration with improve on developing and across all health care services, Amref Health Africa conducted an maintaining Standard Operating including public, private and External Competency Assessment of Procedures (SOPs). traditional health providers. Malaria Microscopists (ECAMM) course for twelve microscopists. The “Common malaria”, as popularly primary aim of malaria microscopy called in Nigeria, is a deadly quality assurance (QA) programmes is endemic disease with an estimated By Patience Udefuna to ensure that microscopy services 100 million malaria cases and about Esther Essien

4 THE JOINT WEST AFRICA RESEARCH GROUP (JWARG) IN NIGERIA

Commencement of JWARG Editor’s note One on one with Jennifer Malia academia, research institutions, the U.S. Navy, The USDOD Walter Reed Program-Nigeria and its Captain Jennifer Malia is Ghanaian and Liberian Armed Forces, have built up partner, the Nigeria Ministry of Defence Health t h e D e p u t y D i r e c to r, comprehensive sites that provide laboratory, clinical and Implementation Program, have been setting the Department of Laboratory emergency services to military and civilian populations pace on how two countries and particularly how D i a g n o s t i c s a n d in the communities in which they are located. This Monitoring, a part of the sustainable platform will be used to build two militaries - Nigeria and USA, can impact Military HIV Research countermeasures to respond to infectious disease lives through public health delivery. Spanning Program in Maryland, crises. Already, a series of trainings have been lined up clinical care, research, biosurveillance, and United States of America. to enhance this objective in Nigeria. These trainings are collaborative efforts within the West African She has her doctorate in aimed at building the capacity of partners from the West region, shows clearly that this military to Public Health and is a Initial assessment in preparation for JWARG commencement. African states of Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia in laboratory Captain in the U.S. Public From left seating: Kara Lombardi , Morgane Rolland, Robbie Nelson and Dr. Julie Ake and clinical courses: Good Clinical Laboratory Practice, military partnership is truly a model! Health Services. She was in From left standing: Dr. Babajide Keshinro, Dr. Kayvon Mojarrad, Mihret Amare, - Editor Dr. Diran Akintunde, Tsedal Mebrhau and Dr. Senate Amusu Malaria, Infectious diseases and Quality Assurance. Nigeria on a site visit to 68 the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa revealed both Nigerian Army Reference Tgreat potential and deep deficiencies within the mechanisms Hospital Yaba and also to represent the Deputy Director, for rapid medical response to public health emergencies. The MHRP and Head of the JWARG, Dr. Julie Ake, in the United States Government dedicated funding for disease control JWARG Chemistry and Quality Assurance training. Her in West Africa and awarded funds to the U.S. Military HIV main goal of visiting 68 Yaba was to initiate a research Research Program. This funding supports laboratory and clinical protocol and to evaluate a molecular device called IBIS. capacity building through military-to-military collaborations and This device looks at respiratory panels and how it academia. compares to the gold standard. Her second mission was to participate and facilitate the JWARG course. Here is The Joint West Africa Research Group (JWARG) was formed to what she said of the Chemistry and Quality Assurance prevent and mitigate the outbreak of infectious diseases by training. leveraging on existing capacity, coordinate with host nation militaries and in-country partners for health security to develop “The training is going very well. I'm very excited about clinical and laboratory capacity, bio-surveillance and response the group that is here. The facilitators are excellent as capabilities, as well as evaluate infectious diseases counter well as the team that is helping in facilitating the measures in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia. training. The laboratorians that are here are very JWARG was officially launched in Lagos, Nigeria on June 23, 2016 by the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Missions, knowledgeable. There is a lot of interaction going on JWARG, in partnership with U.S. Department of Defense Walter Mrs. Maria Brewer and the Nigerian Army Medical Corps Commander, Maj. Gen. TA Amusu. between the facilitators and the group, it's very nice to Reed Program-Nigeria (WRP-N), Nigeria Ministry of Defence From left; Lt Cdr. E. Sarkodie (Ghana); John Bray, U.S. Consul General; LTC Jule Ake, Deputy Director MHRP; DCM; Maj. see”. Gen. Amusu; MODHIP Director, Brig. Gen NA Hussain; WRP-N Country Director, Robert Nelson and Lt. Y. Kesselly (Liberia) Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP), international The Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) was the first in the The Malaria microscopy and diagnosis segment of the JWARG JWARG’s Clinical and Infectious Disease training The 4th JWARG training - Chemistry & Quality Assurance series of JWARG trainings to build capacity of laboratory personnel training kicked off on June 5, 2016. The two-week training had commenced from the 20 to 24 June, 2016. This training was held from 22 to 26 August, 2016. It equipped and prepare West Africa for any infectious disease outbreak. It 15 participants in attendance. It aimed at training for clinicians brought together over 40 participants from laboratorians with essential skills in performing began on 17 May, 2016 at the 445 Nigerian Air Force Hospital all over the world including U.S, Ghana, Liberia and U.K. accurate assays, lab safety, standard methodologies, laboratorians to accurately identify and diagnose malaria Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria. Particpants were trained on producing It concentrated on new infectious diseases and its equipment maintenance, logistics and record keeping. accurate lab results, management of data & clinical trials in line organisms according to WHO standards. management, especially Ebola and . with DAIDS-GCLP guideline.

Role play on Barrack Health Committee 6 5 PEOPLE & EVENTS Program activities The Deputy Director of PEPFAR and Global Health Programs, Military HIV Research Program (MHRP), Dr. Tiffany Hamm, visited the USDOD Walter Reed Program-Nigeria in September, 2016. Her visit coincided with the new U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Missions’ (DCM), Mr. David Young’s visit to the Program. The DCM who assumed office in September 2016 was on a familiarization visit to WRP-N where he pledged his support to the Program. Afterwards, the DCM, joined by Dr. Hamm, presented awards to HJFMRI long serving staff members. Dr. Tiffany was visiting the Program once again to monitor and harmonize PEPFAR and DCM David Young (3rd from right) with Senior Management Team. From left is Dr. Yakubu Adamu, WRP-N global health activities at the Program sites. PEPFAR lead; DAO, Mr. Eddie Bloom; U.S. Defense Attache, COL Patrick Doyle; Dr. Tiffany Hamm, Director, Global Health Programs; WRP-N Country Director, Mr. Robert Nelson and Dr. Jide Keshinro, Director, Research

DCM Young (center) and Dr. Hamm (2nd left) in a group photograph An awardee, Mr. Bege Dogonyaro posing with the DCM with WRP-N team and Dr. Hamm Award ceremony It was celebration time for some staff members who have dedicated their time to service in the Walter Reed Program-Nigeria. The first in the history of the Program since its inception in 2004, awards were presented to WRPN/HJFMRI personnel in recognition of their long service and commitment to the Program. All awardees earned recognition of 8 years service except for David Fasanya, Finance Officer and Dr. Babajide Keshinro, Research Director (1st & 2nd, 1st row) who have 7 years. Others are (from 3rd, 1st row) Dooshima Uganden, Prevention Officer; Suleiman Aminu, PEPFAR Lab. Manager; Amaka Ajiboye, HR Manager; Emmanuel Shekari, Warehouse Assistant; Funke Opashina, Finance Manager; Zubairu Elayo, Program Logistician; Treasure Okoye, PMI lead and Bege Dogonyaro, Lab. Facilities Supervisor (inset in photo above).

1 7 10 PEOPLE & EVENTS Welcome Funsho Odewoye joined the Walter Reed Program- Dr. Stanley Chukwudi Meribe is the new Senior Nigeria team in March 2016 as a Finance/Budget Program Specialist, TB-HIV who assumed office in analyst. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered July 2016. He is a medical doctor and holds a Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), an Associate of the doctorate in HIV/AIDS Research, majoring in viral- Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI) and a immunology and molecular epidemiology from Certified International Financial Reporting Specialist Kumamoto University, Japan. He has worked for (IFRS). He holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and a close to ten years in different institutions including Master Degree in Business Administration and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and Management, both from University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He lastly, at the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria is joining USDOD with over 13 (IHVN). His experiences years cross functional hands-on span through clinical experience in Banking, Audit, pathology and Infectious Tax and Financial Advisory diseases, health Services. Prior to joining programming, general and USDOD, he was the Divisional tropical medicine. Stanley is Head, Tax & Financial Advisory married and a proud father Services at WFO Rodl & to a little girl. He enjoys Partners. Funsho has won swimming, soccer, and many awards for exceptional volleyball. performance from previous organizations.

Jennifer Ogu assumed office as the new Human Obinna Ejekam joined the Walter Reed Program- Resources/Admin. Assistant in May 2016.. She has a Nigeria team in August 2016 as a chauffeur. first degree in Law from the University of Benin and a Obinna’s has working experience of over 6 years Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen-Scotland. Jennifer in vehicular maintenance and engineering. He is a member of many professional bodies, including the has worked in several organisations including’ Nigerian Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of CenTokyo Automobiles, Abuja. His last Personnel Development (UK). She started her career as organization before joining WRP-N was Hardex a legal administrator with Automobile Industry. Awakalu (SAN) and Associates and subsequently diversified Obinna is a soccer fan into HR/Administration where and has interests in she has gained a wealth of Infotech and computer experience working in both engineering. private and public sectors. Before joining the Program, Jennifer worked with Jubaili group. Her hobbies include traveling and swimming.

For more information; visit our website at www.wrp-n.org We welcome your contributions/comments at [email protected] or [email protected]

Wrap-Up is a publication of the Communications Unit, Walter Reed Program-Nigeria and can be downloaded at our website.

Editor: Esther Essien Editorial team: Team spirit in action. Eddie Bloom, WRP-N DAO (center) and Jovi Chijioke- Ginger Kopp and Wg Cdr EK Ojemen Eze pose with Motorpool team

8 IMNTEETRIVNGIEW A day with Prof. Christian Happi n May 2016, Prof. Christian Happi developed protocol Imade a one-day visit to the U.S. mechanisms and Embassy to discuss a new research carried out accurate project. He was welcomed by the diagnosis in order to management and staff of WRP-N. be prepared for an At an all-hands meeting, Prof. Happi Ebola outbreak . took the floor to talk about his During the outbreak, professional experience, his Prof. Happi and his academic organization and their t e a m p l a y e d a medical accomplishments. Prof. critical role in the Happi is a renowned scientist who history of science by has led his team to make critical providing data on medical discoveries in West Africa. E b o l a t o t h e Prof. Happi (left) in a handshake with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Happi's interaction with Walter i n t e r n a t i o n a l Mr. James Entwistle Reed dates back decades, when he science community reach this goal. worked with Dr. Sheila Peel. In before publication so that they would summer 2015, he met with Colonel know what characterized the virus Dr. Happi wishes Africans to learn to Nelson Michael at Harvard where that was circulating the region. In a become problem solvers and, by they discussed the creation of the short four months, his team worked extension, become solution- “Joint West African Research Group” diligently to provide a WHO approved providers to the world. He (JWARG). rapid test kit that became critical in acknowledged that Africa has the identifying and providing the tools for potential to be a leader in many Prof. Happi, heads the African Center containing the Ebola outbreak. aspects. He said that Africa is for Genomics and Infectious blessed with human, natural and Diseases (ACEGID) in Ede, Osun State Lassa Fever mineral resources, but is lacking in which is funded by the World Bank Prof. Happi was also instrumental in ingenuity and technological and other stakeholders. With an the surveillance and detection of expertise. In addition, Africa is enrolment of 15 students and in Lassa Fever. For the past decade in plagued with many problems ranging collaboration with the Broad Institute Irrua, he has built a competent team from diseases, transportation, in Boston, the role of ACEGID is to of clinicians and laboratorians who energy, and war for which the build scientific capacity in Nigeria by efficiently test for Lassa and assist continent should have sought applying modern care techniques health officials in managing resolutions. His philosophy stems with next generation sequencing outbreaks. Prof. Happi recounted the from the fact that, “Africa is blessed technology for pathogen detection advantages of using sequencing not only with resources but also and identification. A major thematic technology which has been useful not problems. These issues should not area ACEGID focuses on is acute only in pathogen identification but in be looked upon as problems, but as febrile diseases, which complements advancing the microgram landscape. blessings in disguise which can be the JWARG mission focusing on The microgram landscape can be tapped into and used to solve the s e v e r e i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e used in diagnosing more than one problems of the world”. surveillance and detection in West virus at a time. Moving further, he Dr. Happi traced Africa's problems to Africa. According to Prof. Happi, his has translated such technology, not ignorance, citing that diseases, role in the partnership is, “to bring in only to point of care diagnosis as in which are called “emerging” now, new interactions and new ways of Ebola, but also by developing a rapid have long existed. The scientific doing things and see how best we can test kit for Lassa Fever. community should rather view public altogether work toward achieving health technologies and strategies to goals of humanity, which in essence Next-gen develop “new emerging diagnosis”. is, trying to make our environment, Prof. Happi believes Africa has much He was particularly glad of the Africa and the world safer through to offer. He also believes in the next JWARG initiative, which brings a research.” generation of African scientists, who breath of fresh air by introducing have the opportunity to harness academia into our Military to Military Ebola problems and offer solutions to the Partnership. During his presentation Dr. Happi world. He told us that the goal of spoke about how his team was at the ACEGID is to produce within existing During the outbreak, Prof. Happi and forefront in containing the Ebola resources, “a critical mass of well- his team played a critical role in the crisis. In Nigeria, the first case of trained African scientists that can history of science by providing data Ebola was diagnosed and confirmed effectively use genomics technology on Ebola to the international science in his laboratory through his network to create tools which can enable community before publication so and strategies deployed to respond to them solve indigenous problems”. that they would know what health crises. He believes that his team's platform, characterized the virus that was In March 2014, Prof. Happi gathered in collaboration with the Walter Reed circulating the region. a team of laboratorians who Program-Nigeria, can effectively 9 INFO Infectious Diseases PART ONE symptoms. General signs and Indirect contact symptoms common to a number of Disease-causing organisms can also nfectious diseases are those infectious diseases include: Fever, be transmitted through indirect Idiseases caused by micro- diarrhea, fatigue, muscle aches, contact. Germs linger on inanimate organisms such as bacteria, viruses, coughing and rashes: objects, such as a tabletop, fungi or parasites. These organisms doorknob or faucet handle. When are found almost everywhere: air, Mode of transmission you touch a doorknob handled by a water, soil, solid object and surfaces. Direct contact person with the flu or a cold, you can Many even live in and on our bodies. An easy way of contracting pick up the germs he or she left Most of these micro-organisms are infectious diseases is by coming in behind. If, you then touch your eyes, normally harmless or even helpful to contact with an infected person or mouth, or nose before washing your humans but under certain conditions animal. Three ways infectious hands, you may become infected. may cause severe diseases which diseases can be spread through are transmittable. Some micro- direct contact are: Vectors organisms are highly pathogenic Some germs rely on insect carriers, naturally and if they gain access into Person to person: A common way for such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice or human or animal body can cause infectious diseases to spread is ticks, to move from host to host. severe illnesses which could as well through the direct transfer of These carriers are known as vectors. be infectious. Human beings contact bacteria, viruses or other germs from Mosquitoes can carry the malaria most of these highly pathogenic one person to another. This can parasite causing malaria, and deer organisms from animals which occur when an infected person ticks may carry the bacterium that usually have a devastating impact on touches, kisses, coughs or sneezes causes lyme disease. human health, causing a high on someone who is not infected. disease burden and even mortality. These germs can also spread Another way disease-causing germs Such diseases are referred to as through the exchange of body fluids can infect you is through zoonotic. Zoonotic diseases include through blood transfusion or sexual contaminated food and water. This monkey pox, hendra virus, nipah contact. The infected person may mechanism of transmission allows virus, and severe acute respiratory have no symptoms of the disease, pathogenic microorganisms to be syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). but may simply be a carrier. transmitted to several people Others are; Lassa virus, influenza A, through a single source. E.coli, for and the lentiviruses among others. In Animal to person: Being bitten or example, is a bacterium present in or recent years, climate change, scratched by an infected animal, on certain foods such as unintended consequences of even a pet, can make one sick and, undercooked hamburger or globalization, and changes in in extreme circumstances, can be unpas teurized fruit juice. agricultural practices have fatal. Eating uncooked or Salmonella (bacteria which causes contributed to the apparent undercooked meat from an infected typhoid) and vibrio cholera are increased transmission of pathogens animal, or even mere handling of spread through contaminated water. from animals to humans. Generally, infected animal waste can be the burden of these diseases is hazardous. For example, you can strongly felt by those in developing acquire a toxoplasmosis by countries. Every infectious disease scooping your cat's litter box. In recent years, climate has its own specific signs and c h a n g e , u n i n t e n d e d Mother to unborn child: A pregnant woman may consequences of globalization, pass on microorganisms and changes in agricultural that cause infectious practices have contributed to diseases to her unborn the apparent increased b a b y . S o m e transmission of pathogens microorganism can pass from animals to humans. through the placenta. Germs in the vagina can be transmitted to the baby during birth. Courtesy: Mr. Sunday Odeyemi WRP-N rian Ministry of De Nige fence epartment of De US D fense

M ili am tary HIV Progr

WRP-N Walter Reed Program-Nigeria - an affiliate of Walter Read Army Institute of Research U.S.A., works in partnership with the Nigeria Ministry of Defence. It is a ‘military to military’ collaboration to combat HIV/AIDS and related diseases in Nigeria through research, prevention, care, treatment and training. c/o US Embassy, Diplomatic drive, Central Business District, Abuja - 09-4614000