Caution: A deadly virus is on its way
Once you get exposed to the infection, you develop immunity for life, and people down south have mostly got immunity against chikungunya
As part of the agreement, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd will provide drug molecules to NIV for testing against these three mosquito-borne infections.
“Unfortunately, no effective antivirals and vaccines are available for these infections yet. Our agreement with Sun Pharma aims to find a solution to these unmet needs,” said Devendra Mourya, NIV Director, while signing the pact.
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has also entered human clinical trials for its chikungunya vaccine. The indigenously developed chikungunya vaccine— CHIKV— has entered the phase 1 trial to evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability and immunogenicity.
There were some hiccups regarding the recruitment of volunteers for trials.
“There were some issues as the recruitment of volunteers was a bit slow. They wanted the number of sites to be increased, which is under consideration,” said Dr Swaminathan.
However, it could still be years before the vaccine finally is ready for use.
BREEDING CONTROL
Since chikungunya is a disease that spreads through mosquitoes, preventing mosquito-breeding is the ultimate key.
Experts mainly talk of three ways that can be effective in controlling mosquito breeding— source reduction method, use of larvicide and biological control.
Source reduction method is when water is not allowed to get stored for more than a week, as disease-causing mosquitoes are capable of laying eggs even in 10ml water, which is a capful of water. Use of larvicides is helpful where it is not possible to remove stored water.
Anti-larval such as temephos can be used once a week at a dose of 1 parts per million, and pyrethrum extract can also be sprayed in rooms to kill the adult mosquitoes hiding in the house. The other option is biological control, using larvivorous fish— gambusia and guppy, in water tanks and other water sources to control breeding.
During a high-level review meeting earlier this month on preparedness for prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, Union health minister JP Nadda asked the states for mounting aggressive awareness campaigns to control mosquito breeding. “The government is doing its bit and people will have to do their by ensuring breeding control at their homes and surrounding areas,” he said.