New dengue virus vaccine shows promise
An experimental vaccine against dengue -- the mosquito-borne virus behind a very painful illness -- was found effective in a new study. In the small trial involving just 41 healthy volunteers, one dose of the TV003 vaccine offered 100 percent protection against a particularly tricky strain of the disease that scientists initially thought might be outwitting the vaccine.
Coupled with earlier indications that the vaccine also offers strong protection against three other strains of dengue, the results bode well for ongoing efforts to control the most widespread mosquito-transmitted virus in the world, the researchers said. Dengue strikes roughly 390 million people each year, primarily in tropical and sub-tropical environments, according to the study authors. Most infections are actually mild or without symptoms, the researchers noted.
But upwards of 2 million of those infected end up with dengue hemorrhagic fever, the study authors said. Symptoms include a very high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, blood vessel leakage and circulatory failure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For roughly 25,000 patients a year, the disease is fatal. The new vaccine covers all four strains of dengue. It was first tried out in early 2016, with availability confined to just three countries: Mexico, the Philippines and Brazil, according to the study authors.
Medical News Today
