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The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) will soon undertake trials of the locally developed vaccine against Zika virus, cases of which have been reported in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
CIMR will begin a phase II trial of the vaccine to determine its efficacy, safety and side effects, a senior official said.
The vaccine manufacturer, Bharat Biotech, based in Hyderabad, has developed a vaccine that they say will provide protection against infections caused by a strain of Asian Zika virus as well as the strain of African Zika virus, the responsible.
"The company had developed the vaccine about two years ago. At that time, the Zika virus had not appeared in India because it was limited to Latin America. "The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of a mosquito of the infected Aedes species. There is also an epidemic in some states. Vector control is one of the most difficult jobs. Thus, the vaccine, if its effectiveness is proven, is a better strategy, "said the manager.
The regulatory approval process for the test will be launched soon, he said.
"Yes, we are dialoguing with Bharat Biotech, but the approval is not yet in place. He must also go through the drug controller. In any case, the trial will only take place next year. This year, the cases are almost over, "said Dr. Balram Bhargava, chief executive of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Two Zika-positive people died in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, while the number of people with the disease exceeded 120 in the state.
The deceased – an 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman – had the virus and other "serious" illnesses. Therefore, we can not say that they died because of Zika, officials clarified.
The virus infected 127 people, including 40 pregnant women, officials said.
People have been tested positive for Zika virus in seven districts of Madhya Pradesh. This includes 44 cases reported in Bhopal, 20 in Sehore, 29 in Vidisha, two in Sagar and Hoshangabad, and one in Narsinghpur and Raisen.
A central team is reviewing the situation and helping the government of Madhya Pradesh to replicate the measures and plan of action implemented in Jaipur and Ahmedabad to contain the disease, said the senior official.
Rajasthan reported 159 cases of Zika infections.
In India, the first outbreak of Zika virus was reported in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, in July of that year. Both epidemics were controlled through intensive surveillance and vector management.
In the last outbreak of the virus in the country, the first case surfaced on September 22, when an 85-year-old woman was tested positive for the virus in Jaipur. Since then, the number of Zika cases has increased to 153 in Rajasthan.
In Madhya Pradesh, an intensive screening exercise is underway and vector control measures have been intensified. The government has also issued a notice to district administrations to take steps to control mosquito breeding.
The state health department advised pregnant women not to visit the affected areas.
The Zika virus, transmitted by the mosquito aedes aegypti, causes fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pains. It is harmful for pregnant women because the mother can transmit the infection to her fetus during pregnancy or around birth, resulting in microcephaly, a condition in which the baby's head is significantly smaller than normal.
The disease is monitored by the Ministry of Health of the Union, although notification by the WHO is no longer a public health emergency of international concern.
(With agency contributions)
First published: Nov. 19, 2018 08:42 IST
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