It has been reported in the Spring 2004 Edotion of Travel Africa, that scientists in Oxford UK are starting human trials of a new vaccine to prevent malaria.

Malaria is caused by the mosquito-transmitted parasite Plasmodium and is rife in many parts of the world including The Gambia, it claims the lives of millions each year.

It is hoped that the new vaccine will prevent infection by preconditioning the body's immune system to attack the parasite when it appears in the liver.

Source Travel Africa magazine Spring 2004.

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