Chikungunya vaccine: US passes 1st dose against mosquito-borne virus

• The US passed 1st dose of Chikungunya vaccine against the mosquito-borne virus.
• Chikungunya leads to symptoms such as fever and joint pains.
• At least five million chikungunya cases have been reported globally.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever vaccine against chikungunya, considering it an “emerging global health threat.”

Chikungunya, transmitted by mosquitoes, leads to symptoms such as fever and joint pains, posing a particular risk to newborns.

The FDA’s approval is anticipated to facilitate the vaccine’s global deployment with no specific treatment currently available for chikungunya. Up until September, around 440,000 chikungunya cases, including 350 fatalities, were reported this year.

The vaccine, named Ixchiq, developed by Valneva in Europe, is intended for individuals aged 18 and older at high risk, administered in a single shot.

The FDA highlighted the severity of chikungunya, emphasizing the potential for prolonged health issues, especially among older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.

At least five million chikungunya cases have been reported globally, with symptoms like rashes, headaches, and muscle pain, and joint pains may persist for months or years since 2008.

The disease primarily affects regions in Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas where mosquitoes carrying the virus are endemic.

However, the FDA noted the virus’s expansion into new areas, leading to an increase in global prevalence. Brazil, with 218,613 cases, reported the highest number this year, followed by India, where over 93,000 cases were documented, including a significant outbreak in Delhi in 2016.

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