News & Events

Cameroon made history by becoming the first country to introduce a routine vaccination program against malaria. The Central African nation is one of 20 African countries planning to roll out the groundbreaking vaccine this year, according to the global vaccine alliance Gavi.

The new vaccine, called RTS,S and sold under the brand name Mosquirix, was developed by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) over nearly 40 years. It targets Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite and the most prevalent in Africa. Mosquirix is designed as a four-dose vaccine for young children around 5 months of age.

Mosquirix is the first-ever vaccine shown to provide partial protection against malaria in young children, who are most at risk from the deadly disease. By introducing it routinely, Cameroon hopes to prevent thousands of malaria deaths and cases annually.

Africa bears the brunt of the global malaria burden, accounting for over 90% of the world’s 200 million cases and 400,000 deaths per year. Health experts hope the rollout of Mosquirix across the continent will be a game-changer in efforts to eliminate malaria.

Read the original article here: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroon-rolls-out-worlds-first-malaria-vaccine-2024-01-22/

London-listed Gem Diamonds has recovered a high-quality 295-carat Type II white diamond from the Letšeng mine, located in the small southern African country of Lesotho. This mine is known for producing large, exceptional-quality diamonds and is among the world’s top ten diamond mines by revenue. This latest find is a significant recovery for Gem Diamonds, which owns a 70% stake in the mine.

The Letšeng mine sits high in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho at an elevation of 3,100 meters. The mine is famous for the large and high-clarity diamonds it produces, with the average selling price for Letšeng diamonds consistently exceeding $2,000 per carat. The mine’s high elevation and unique geology result in the production of over 50% Type II diamonds, which are chemically pure and often lacking nitrogen or boron impurities that can affect a diamond’s colour.

The recovery of this latest 295-ct stone is a major find that will significantly boost Gem Diamonds’ earnings for the year. Diamonds of this size and quality are extremely rare and highly coveted by luxury jewellery brands.

Read the original article here: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/print-version/gem-diamonds-recovers-295-ct-diamond-in-lesotho-2024-01-11

Togo has become the latest African nation to join the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), a growing alliance across the continent dedicated to preserving elephant populations and promoting peaceful coexistence between elephants and humans. With its addition, there are now 24 countries in the EPI collective.

Togo’s Minister of Environment and Forest Resources, Katari Foli-Bazi, has been applauded for his commitment to protecting biodiversity and combatting illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking. By joining the EPI, Togo is signalling its political will at the highest levels to take concrete steps for elephant conservation within its borders.

Togo’s elephant population have declined drastically in recent decades due to poaching and human encroachment into protected areas. According to the 2016 African Elephant Status Report, only small scattered herds remain in Togo. By banding together with other African nations in the EPI, Togo hopes to collaborate on enforcement and monitoring to better secure its existing elephant populations. Other EPI members will provide financial and technical support to help Togo strengthen protections in areas like Fazao Malfakassa National Park.

Read the original article here: https://www.environewsnigeria.com/togo-emerges-24th-nation-to-join-the-elephant-protection-initiative/