Novel Vaccine Shows Promise against Chikungunya Virus

Novel vaccine which is developed based on a modified measles virus shows a promise against the chikungunya virus, reports a new clinical trial study. The findings of the study are published in the journal The Lancet.

The Phase II trial, led by the University of Vienna in Austria, showed that just two injections are enough to provide immunity, regardless of whether these are given at an interval of one or six months.

Chikungunya - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. FAQs
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquito bites; it causes fever, severe joint pain and rash on the body. Chikungunya occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian sub continent.

‘Chikungunya is an emerging viral disease and a real threat to public health. There is no specific treatment currently which is capable of halting the chikungunya virus. But a novel vaccine shows promise against the virus in a clinical trial.’
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The vaccine is injected into the muscle and triggers the production of antibodies in the lymphatic system. If the person is infected with the chikungunya virus, these antibodies are ready to neutralize the virus so that the disease does not take hold.

The results "are very promising in terms of immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of the vaccine," said Ursula Wiedermann-Schmidt, Professor from the varsity.

The vaccine is a live vaccine based on the measles virus vaccinal strain, which has been genetically modified to express the surface proteins of chikungunya.

First Antiviral Drug Piperazine For Chikungunya
Piperazine which is a drug used for deworming can be used as an antiviral agent to treat chikungunya.

Neutralising antibodies are formed after a single vaccination.

Also, it increases or boosts the protective substances or antibodies against measles.

Combining Drug for Virus and Arthritis Found Effective in Chikungunya
A combination of drugs was found to be effective against the acute phase of chikungunya infection, providing first sign of treatment.

The Phase II trials were conducted over 263 volunteers.

Chikungunya fever is an emerging viral disease, and a substantial threat to public health and the virus is spreading throughout the world particularly in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Mosquitoes Could Infect Humans With Zika and Chikungunya Simultaneously
Mosquitoes are capable of carrying multiple viruses simultaneously and can infect humans in a single bit.

Currently, there is no specific treatment capable of halting the chikungunya virus and the associated high fever with severe muscle, limb and joint pain, which can even prove fatal under certain circumstances.

Source-IANS