Brazil to begin Zika vaccine trials in humans
Updated: 2016-09-22 11:00
(Xinhua)
|
||||||||
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil will begin testing a vaccine against the mosquito-borne Zika virus in humans in the next two months,a leading researcher told reporters on Tuesday.
The so-called DNA vaccine was jointly developed by Brazil's state-run Butantan Institute and researchers from the United States.
"It is an absolutely revolutionary technology," said Jogre Kalil, director of Butantan Institute, adding that it was also safe even for pregnant women.
The virus is a particular menace to women who are expecting, as it has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect characterized by infants born with abnormally small heads.
The vaccine is said to work by incorporating Zika DNA, via a synthetically produced Zika virus protein, to induce the body's immune system into fighting off the disease.
The approval of the vaccine will depend on the success of the trials.
According to the World Health Organization, the virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
In Latin America, Brazil has been the hardest hit by the virus, which it linked last year to a spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis in people.
- US fighter jet crashes off coast of Okinawa, Japan: DM
- State of emergency declared in US city Charlotte amid violent protests
- Clinton to highlight foreign policy experience to woo voters
- UN chief calls for support for political solution to Syrian conflict
- Brazil to begin Zika vaccine trials in humans
- Greek govt vows to improve refugee situation on island after fire
- 8 things you may not know about Autumn Equinox
- Italian sets new record with Ferrari on 'miracle road'
- Students compete for flight attendant jobs in Sichuan
- 1st Sushi restaurant opens in DPRK
- Top 14 Chinese women in Fortune's ranking
- Hangzhou airport offers beds to tired travelers
- Protesters march against EU trade deals with US
- In photos: Chinese harvest in full swing
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Trump outlines anti-terror plan, proposing extreme vetting for immigrants
Phelps puts spotlight on cupping
US launches airstrikes against IS targets in Libya's Sirte
Ministry slams US-Korean THAAD deployment
Two police officers shot at protest in Dallas
Abe's blame game reveals his policies failing to get results
Ending wildlife trafficking must be policy priority in Asia
Effects of supply-side reform take time to be seen
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |