Race for vaccine intensifies as second wave hits Asia

Researchers racing to develop a vaccine for Covid-19 face an even more urgent task in light of recent reports that the coronavirus has rebounded in Asia despite efforts to tamp it down.

New cases of the disease have emerged in Wuhan, Singapore and Hong Kong in the past week, after governments lifted some of their social distancing controls.

That raises the stakes for scientists participating in an unparalleled global effort to develop a vaccine. More than 125 organisations – including drug companies, government laboratories and universities – are working on a vaccine.

‘‘No response has ever gone this fast before,’’ said Phyllis Arthur, vice president for infectious diseases and diagnostic policy at BIO, a trade association that represents drugmakers, biotech firms and others in the health industry. ‘‘We have gone from genetic sequencing to treatment possibilities within weeks.’’

But the lethal threat is likely to remain active until a fully tested vaccine arrives. Restrictions on group gatherings, business activity and travel are only effective at reducing the spread of the disease. Evidence is surfacing that new outbreaks can occur once those measures are lifted.

After initial success at containing the disease, Singapore clamped new restrictions this week on schools and non-essential businesses. Hong Kong also experienced a rebound after it relaxed controls. Wuhan has a new cluster of the cases, as well.

Even with a vaccine, Covid-19 will remain a menace, because researchers are not sure if the virus that causes it could mutate in the years ahead, reducing the effectiveness of a vaccine and forcing it to be modified. –