Government researchers in the United States of America started first clinical trial of a Zika vaccine as cases surged in different states.
Concerns over Zika, which is spreading rapidly in the Americas and has hit Brazil the hardest, have risen. Last week, Florida authorities reported the first signs of local transmission.
There is no approved vaccine or drug for Zika, a virus spreading rapidly in the Americas and other parts of the world, especially Brazil. The virus that is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes can cause the birth defect microcephaly, marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
In the efforts to develop a drug or a vaccine, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said early-stage clinical trial is continuing now. They will involve at least 80 healthy volunteers ages 18 to 35 at three study sites. It said the trial will evaluate the experimental DNA-based vaccine’s safety and ability to elicit an immune system response.
“A safe and effective vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection and the devastating birth defects it causes is a public health imperative,” NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a statement.
On the other hand, US vaccine maker Inovio Pharmaceuticals in June won US Food and Drug Administration approval to begin testing its Zika vaccine in humans. It began its clinical trial last month, aiming to enroll 40 healthy adult volunteers in Miami, Philadelphia and Quebec City.
Some states are now in high alert because of the surge of Zika virus. Florida said it would make Zika testing available to all pregnant women at county health departments statewide at no cost.
Texas health officials said they were on high alert for local Zika transmission and urged residents to follow precautions against mosquito bites.
“It’s the perfect mix — local transmission in Florida, travel to Brazil, and we’re at the height of mosquito season in Texas,” said John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, referring to the Olympic Games beginning this week in Rio.
President Barack Obama in February asked the Republican-led Congress for about $1.9 billion in emergency funds to combat Zika domestically and abroad, unfortunately, lawmakers have not passed funding legislation.