Vaccine Could Fight Deadly Marburg Virus

A vaccine has proved effective in preventing hemorrhagic fever in monkeys after they were exposed to the deadly Marburg virus.

Like the Ebola virus, Marburg causes internal bleeding at multiple sites in the body. Both viruses are considered to be potential bioterrorism threats. There are no drugs to fight infection with Marburg virus, and even treatment aimed at easing the illness' symptoms rarely work.

However, a team of American and Canadian researchers say they have created a vaccine by replacing a gene from a harmless virus with a gene encoding a surface protein on the Marburg virus.

In their study, reported in the April 27 issue of The Lancet, the researchers infected five rhesus monkeys with the Marburg virus and then injected them with the vaccine 20 to 30 minutes later. Three other monkeys acting as controls were infected with the virus but were given a vaccine without the Marburg protein.

All five monkeys that received the Marburg protein vaccine survived for at least 80 days, while the controls died within 12 days.

Previous research showed the vaccine could protect against Marburg hemorrhagic fever if it was given before infection. This new study suggests the vaccine may be an effective post-infection treatment for the disease.

The study team involved researchers from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Microbiology Laboratory at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

More information

The U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases has more about Marburg hemorrhagic fever.

Free Guidebooks Make for Heart-Healthy Reading

MONDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Only three percent of American adults follow the "big four" habits to prevent heart disease: Healthy diet, regular physical activity, proper weight, and not smoking, according to a recent national survey.

In order to help people improve their heart health, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has issued two new guidebooks about the factors that increase heart disease risk or that may contribute to worsening existing heart disease.

"Your Guide to a Healthy Heart" includes a detailed action plan for heart health and "Your Guide to Living Well With Heart Disease" has information to help people with heart disease protect and improve their heart health.

"In the United States, heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. But the good news is that there are many things individuals can do to reduce their risks of heart disease," Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, NHLBI director, said in a prepared statement.

Here are some tips on how to reduce your heart-disease risk:

• Don't smoke. If you do, quit. Smokers are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smokers.
• Stay trim. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
• Get off the couch. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most -- preferably all -- days of the week.
• Eat right. Stick to a heart-healthy diet that's low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Be sure to include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in your diet.
• Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any abnormal numbers.

More information

Here's where you can download the guidebooks for free: "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart" or "Your Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease".