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Context
Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated the Phase-I human clinical trial of an advanced and fully indigenous vaccine for 'Kyasanur Forest Disease' (KFD), commonly known as Monkey Fever. This step is a significant milestone towards controlling this deadly viral infection that spreads annually in the Western Ghats regions of South India.
Key News Points
- Indigenous Development: This vaccine has been jointly developed by Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV).
- Type of Vaccine: It is a 'two-dose adjuvanted inactivated' vaccine, which is scheduled to be administered at an interval of 28 days.
- Successful Pre-testing: Before human trials, its effects on animals (Animal Challenge) and toxicity studies were successfully completed.
- Regulatory Approval: The human clinical trial has been initiated using GLP-grade vaccine material only after receiving approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- Goal: If the first phase is successful, it will be made available for widespread use after ensuring safety and immunogenicity (immune response capacity).
Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)
- Introduction: KFD is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever, which was first identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur forest of Karnataka.
- Why Monkey Fever?: This virus has a deep connection with the death of monkeys; the sudden death of monkeys in forests is often an early sign of the spread of this disease.
- Agent and Transmission: It is caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV). It spreads to humans through the bite of infected hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera) or through contact with infected animals (especially monkeys).
- Endemic Areas: It is primarily endemic to the states in the Western Ghats region of India Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra.
- Major Symptoms: Sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, and in severe cases, bleeding from the gums or nose (haemorrhage).
Treatment: Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment; management depends primarily on symptomatic treatment and supportive care, which further increases the necessity of this new vaccine.