Bandung – The nipah virus vaccine is currently being developed by scientists from Oxford. The Nipah virus is known to be deadly and is mostly found in South Asia.
The percentage of fatal cases compared to COVID-19 is even much higher, namely 75 percent of the total reported. The Nipah virus is transmitted from animals such as bats or pigs, it can also come from contaminated food, in a few cases it has also been found to be transmitted between humans.
If the clinical trial of the Nipah vaccine is successful, this will be the first vaccine in the world that can prevent fatal risks due to Nipah. Clinical trials are already underway, during the last week volunteers were given injections from the first trial of the Nipah vaccine.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert said work on the Nipah vaccine actually started in 2017, but was temporarily stopped due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Nipah virus can be fatal, making patients susceptible to acute respiratory infections and encephalitis or dangerous brain swelling.
The virus was first identified 25 years ago, but there is currently no treatment or vaccine available to help people when outbreaks occur.
But a new vaccine, ChAdOx1 NipahB, could be the first if it meets safety and efficacy expectations.
Nipah Vaccine Clinical Trial
Around 51 people aged 18 to 55 will participate in the trial, led by the Oxford Vaccine Group and funded by Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
This vaccine was developed using ‘viral vector’ vaccine technology similar to that made by Oxford University regarding AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. The project will run for 18 months, with further trials expected to be carried out in Nipah-affected countries.
“Our work in developing a Covid-19 vaccine now will help us prepare this Nipah vaccine for licensure, ensuring we are ready to prevent the spread of future outbreaks of this deadly disease.”
Professor Brian Angus, lead investigator of the trial and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, said the Nipah virus was first identified in 1998, but 25 years on the global health community still does not have a vaccine or approved treatment for this deadly disease.
“Due to the high mortality rate and contagious nature of Nipah virus, this disease was identified as a priority pandemic pathogen.”
“This vaccine trial is an important milestone in identifying solutions that can prevent local outbreaks, while helping the world prepare for future global pandemics.”
This article was published on detikHealth with the title Oxford Researchers Study Nipah Vaccine, Deadly Virus with 75 Percent Mortality
(naf/yum)
2024-01-14 22:30:28
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