Lakhs of people die every year due to diseases caused by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment yet for diseases like dengue and Zika virus. Its patients have been given supportive therapy as treatment. Now big news is coming in this direction. US health authorities on Thursday approved the world's first vaccine for chikungunya. The virus, which is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, has been described by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an 'emerging global health threat' worldwide.
In 2023 and as of September 30, approximately 440,000 chikungunya cases were reported worldwide, with more than 350 deaths. Health experts hope that with the help of this vaccine, this risk can be reduced globally. Currently, the Chikungunya vaccine is approved for people 18 years of age and older.
More than 50 lacks have become victims of Chikungunya in the last one-and-a-half decade
According to a release issued by the FDA, the vaccine Ixchik, developed by the European company Valneva, can help reduce the risks of chikungunya that occurs every year around the world. The US drug regulator's green light for the Ixchik vaccine is expected to speed up the rollout of the vaccine in countries where the virus is most prevalent. However, the chikungunya virus has spread to many countries around the world, increasing the global spread of the disease, the FDA said. More than 5 million cases have been reported in the last 15 years.
What do experts say?
"Chikungunya virus infection can cause serious illness and long-term health problems, especially for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions," says Peter Marks, a senior FDA official. , addresses the unmet medical need for this disease, which has seen an increased risk over the past few decades due to limited treatment options.
How effective is this vaccine?
According to the release, the vaccine will be injected in a single dose. The vaccine contains live but weakened Chikungunya virus, which will help the body develop antibodies against the disease so that in case of infection, the body's immune system can easily identify and fight the pathogens.
Two clinical trials were conducted on 3,500 people in North America, in which it was found to be effective in reducing the risk of the disease. Mild side effects such as headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, and nausea were reported in people who took the vaccine.
Chikungunya and the problems caused by it
It is noteworthy that in the case of Chikungunya, the patient suffers from fever and severe joint pain. It can also cause problems like swelling in joints or rashes on the body. Many types of health problems continue to be seen in some people even long after recovery from the disease. Health experts hope that this vaccine can help reduce the pressure on the health sector due to chikungunya every year.
(PC: Freepik)
