Malaria vaccine now being tested in Malawi

A large-scale pilot of what has been called the world's first malaria vaccine to give partial protection to children has begun in Malawi. The RTS,S vaccine trains the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is spread by mosquito bites.

Earlier, smaller trials showed that nearly 40% of the 5-to-17-month-olds who received it were protected. Malaria cases appear to be on the rise again after a decade of success in combating the deadly disease.

"This is a landmark moment for immunisations, malaria control, and public health," Dr Kate O'Brien, Director of Immunisation and Vaccines at the World Health Organization, told the BBC. According to the most recent annual figures, global malaria cases are no longer falling, sparking concerns about its resurgence.

Malawi is the first of three countries chosen for the pilot to roll out the vaccine. It aims to immunise 120,000 children aged two years and below. The other two countries, Ghana and Kenya, will introduce the vaccine in the coming weeks. The three countries were picked because they already run large programmes to tackle malaria, including the use of bed nets, yet still have high numbers of cases.

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Arabic teacher strangles his student

9-year-old student of Muhawshat Primary School in Jalingo, Taraba state has been strangled to death by his Arabic teacher, Hashiru Bala. Muhammaded Suddas Umar Yola, who is the son of prominent Jalingo-based businessman, went for Magrib prayer in a Mosque located close to his father’s house on Sunday when he was killed. When the boy did not return home after the prayers, a search party was organized to look for him. A friend of the victim told his parents how the Arabic teacher had been asking other students about the movement of the victim as well as his brothers and sisters. The Arabic teacher, identified as Hashiru Bala, was then questioned about the boy's whereabouts. Family members reportedly said Hashiru initially denied seeing the victim but when Department of State Security (DSS) officials were called in, he confessed that he strangled the boy to death. Hashiru led security operatives to the place where he dumped the lifeless body of the boy. A senio...

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