News

The Institut Pasteur in Bangui organizes a “Science Week” to celebrate “World Health Day”

From April 2nd to April 6th 2012, “film discussions” have been organized and animated by scientists from the Institut Pasteur in Bangui. During these projections, young students were able to discover the dangers of viruses as polio, hepatitis or HIV. Then, science students had the opportunity to learn more about the Ebola virus thanks to the film “Le silence des gorilles” which was followed by a debate animated by the Professor Antoine Gessain, president of the scientific council of the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Moreover, teachers and students from the ENS were able to discuss the risks of malaria amongst children.
Lastly, on April 5th, a projection of the documentary “Louis Pasteur” was offered to general public.

Outbreaks of meningococcal disease have been reported in 15 districts in Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

From 1 January 2012 to 11 March 2012, outbreaks have been detected as part of the enhanced surveillance in the African Meningitis Belt conducted in 14 countries where a total of 6685 suspected meningitis cases including 639 deaths have been reported.
The countries are responding to these outbreaks by enhancing surveillance, reinforcing treatment of patients and implementing mass vaccination campaigns.
“The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control (ICG)” has approved the release of vaccines and injection materials to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Chad. The ICG constitutes of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and WHO.

On March 8th, 2012, women from the Pasteur Center in Cameroon (PCC) were willing to celebrate the international women’s day. Indeed, female staff represents 52% of whole PCC personnel. This day is very important in Cameroon and is always celebrated with great enthusiasm.
On this occasion, a round table was organized about “women in Black African culture, majesty of all times” and was animated by three academics.
Some women from the PCC also participated in the traditional parade of institutions and companies before the first lady of the country.
Finally, a meal was offered at the PCC followed by a series of dances allowing each ethnic group to present their own traditional dance.
This international women’s day was marked by the presence of the wife of the French ambassador.

From the 3rd to the 9th of March, the Institut Pasteur in Madagascar organized, in partnership with the WHO and the Institut Pasteur International Division, the third regional course of the Indian Ocean area on surveillance of food-borne infections, “Global Food-borne Infections Network” (GFN).
24 participants from healthcare facilities in Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Central African Republic participated in the course.
More specifically, laboratory managers, food-borne infections surveillance services managers and laboratory technicians gathered for a program of theoretical and practical courses focusing on Campylobacter surveillance, antibiotic resistance and investigation methods about food-borne outbreaks.

The Institut Pasteur in Bangui mobilizes for the children of the “Action for compassion in Centre Africa” orphanage.  To do so, 200 children, aged 2 to 14, have been vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus. This virus is an important issue of public health as it is very contagious and can lead to a liver cancer.
According to the epidemiological data of the Institut Pasteur in Bangui, 22 % of the children aged 0 to 15 have already been in contact with the virus. Thus, the vaccination is part of an integrated approach for the eradication of the virus as the vaccine stimulates the creation of protective antibodies for several years and is particularly efficient for children.