Human trials of an advanced vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) begin

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has achieved a significant milestone in combating Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD). The Council has initiated Phase I human clinical trials of an advanced vaccine developed against the disease. This move is considered a major milestone in India's fight against emerging and neglected infectious diseases.

Kyasanur Forest Disease, commonly known as "monkey fever," is a serious viral disease primarily spread by tick bites. The disease was first discovered in the Kyasanur forest area of ​​Karnataka, but has spread to other states such as Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu over time. The disease is characterized by high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and, in some cases, severe complications such as bleeding.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

¨     The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India's apex body for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.

¨     It was originally established in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) and was renamed ICMR in 1949.

¨     It functions under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

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¨     The initiative was undertaken at the request of the Government of Karnataka due to recurring outbreaks in the region.

¨     The vaccine is being developed collaboratively by Indian Immunologicals Limited and ICMR–National Institute of Virology as a fully indigenous, two dose, adjuvanted inactivated vaccine to be administered 28 days apart.

¨     The candidate vaccine has been successfully developed following extensive laboratory research.

¨     The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the initiation of Phase I clinical trials and further clinical phases will be conducted if safety and immunogenicity are established.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

¨     Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), popularly known as “Monkey Fever,” is a tick-borne zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV), a member of the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae.

¨     It was first identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest area of Karnataka, India.

¨     The disease is endemic to the Western Ghats region and causes seasonal outbreaks, mainly between January and June.

¨     Humans become infected primarily through the bite of infected hard ticks, especially Haemaphysalis spinigera.

¨     Transmission may also occur through direct contact with infected animals or handling of infected carcasses.

¨     Monkeys, particularly Semnopithecus entellus (Hanuman langur) and Macaca radiata (bonnet macaque), act as important amplifying hosts in the transmission cycle.