1705163853
This article was originally published in English
The first participants in a study received doses of a vaccine against Nipah virus, a disease with a mortality rate of up to 75%.
ADVERTISING
Scientists have launched the first human trial of a vaccine designed to protect people from the Nipah virus.
This zoonotic pathogen, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, has caused epidemics in South and Southeast Asia.
Fruit bats, especially those of the genus “Pteropus,” are considered natural hosts of the virus.
People can become infected through direct contact with other animals that carry the virus, such as: B. Pigs, through consumption of contaminated food or through close contact with an infected person.
A mortality rate of up to 75%
Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, dizziness and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the infection can lead to encephalitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the brain and leads to impaired consciousness or even coma.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has a high mortality rate, estimated at 40 to 75%. A vaccine could reduce this rate.
“Nipah virus was first identified in 1998, and yet 25 years later, the global health community still lacks approved vaccines or treatments for this devastating disease.”, claims Brian Angus, principal investigator of the study and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, in a press release.
The ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute, is the first vaccine to be administered to humans. 51 volunteers had to undergo a rigorous selection process to take part in the experience.
“Due to the high mortality rate and the mode of transmission of the “Nipah” virus, the disease is considered a priority pandemic pathogen. This vaccine trial is an important step in finding a solution that could prevent local outbreaks from occurring while helping the world prepare for a future global pandemic.added by Brian Angus.
Further research is needed
The focus of this study is to evaluate the safety of the vaccine and analyze immune responses in a young, healthy population.
The project will run over the next 18 months, with further trials in a country affected by the “Nipah” virus to follow.
“Oxford University’s work on the ‘Nipah’ virus vaccine began in 2017 but was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work to develop the COVID-19 vaccine will now help us prepare this ‘Nipah’ virus vaccine for approval and ensure we are prepared to prevent the spread of future outbreaks of this devastating disease.”explains Sarah Gilbert, senior researcher at the Institute of Pandemic Sciences.
The primary goal of Phase I trials is to evaluate safety, not effectiveness. Researchers are focused on monitoring adverse effects and determining a safe dose range.
Subsequent phases of clinical trials are intended to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a vaccine’s effectiveness.
#Nipah #virus #vaccine #tested #mortality #rate