Dengue fever is currently widespread in Brazil. A potential vaccine is expected to be available locally in about a year.
Brazil is currently facing a severe dengue outbreak, with a significant increase in cases compared to previous years. Fabio Vilella, an environmental biologist, was alarmed when he discovered that there was a shortage of dengue vaccines in the country, leaving his 13-year-old son vulnerable to the disease. The outbreak has been attributed to factors such as a hot rainy season and rapid urbanization, creating ideal conditions for the spread of the virus.
The Brazilian government secured a deal with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to provide vaccines, but the supply is limited, with only 3.3 million people expected to be fully vaccinated this year in a population of over 220 million. The Butantan Institute is working on developing a locally produced vaccine that could potentially be more effective and affordable, but it is not expected to be available until 2025 at the earliest. The institute is racing against time to combat the outbreak.
Dengue is caused by four different serotypes of the virus and can lead to high fevers, severe pain, and in some cases, death. The Ministry of Health in Brazil anticipates more than 4 million dengue cases this year, setting a record high. The disease is challenging to control, as the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, thrive in urban areas where standing water is common. Poor communities without proper sanitation are particularly at risk.
Efforts to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito include the release of mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacterium, which reduces their ability to transmit viruses. Another approach involves releasing sterile male mosquitoes to reduce the population. These methods have shown promising results in certain areas, but scaling up nationwide remains a challenge.
Vaccination is considered a crucial strategy in combating dengue. Takeda's vaccine, Qdenga, has shown efficacy in trials, but the limited supply poses challenges for widespread vaccination in Brazil. The Butantan Institute's vaccine, Butantan-DV, is expected to offer protection against all four serotypes and be more cost-effective. Trials have demonstrated high levels of protection against two serotypes, with ongoing studies to evaluate its effectiveness against the others.
The approval and distribution of the Butantan vaccine are expected to have a significant impact on dengue control in Brazil. However, concerns about potential side effects, such as antibody-dependent enhancement, similar to what was observed with a previous dengue vaccine, highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research in the field.
Despite the challenges posed by the current dengue outbreak, experts remain optimistic about the future. They believe that a combination of vaccination, innovative mosquito control strategies, and public education efforts will contribute to reducing the burden of dengue in Brazil. The battle against dengue is ongoing, but there is hope for better control measures and ultimately, a decline in cases.
Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/dengue-raging-brazil-promising-local-vaccine-least-year-away
The Brazilian government secured a deal with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to provide vaccines, but the supply is limited, with only 3.3 million people expected to be fully vaccinated this year in a population of over 220 million. The Butantan Institute is working on developing a locally produced vaccine that could potentially be more effective and affordable, but it is not expected to be available until 2025 at the earliest. The institute is racing against time to combat the outbreak.
Dengue is caused by four different serotypes of the virus and can lead to high fevers, severe pain, and in some cases, death. The Ministry of Health in Brazil anticipates more than 4 million dengue cases this year, setting a record high. The disease is challenging to control, as the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, thrive in urban areas where standing water is common. Poor communities without proper sanitation are particularly at risk.
Efforts to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito include the release of mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacterium, which reduces their ability to transmit viruses. Another approach involves releasing sterile male mosquitoes to reduce the population. These methods have shown promising results in certain areas, but scaling up nationwide remains a challenge.
Vaccination is considered a crucial strategy in combating dengue. Takeda's vaccine, Qdenga, has shown efficacy in trials, but the limited supply poses challenges for widespread vaccination in Brazil. The Butantan Institute's vaccine, Butantan-DV, is expected to offer protection against all four serotypes and be more cost-effective. Trials have demonstrated high levels of protection against two serotypes, with ongoing studies to evaluate its effectiveness against the others.
The approval and distribution of the Butantan vaccine are expected to have a significant impact on dengue control in Brazil. However, concerns about potential side effects, such as antibody-dependent enhancement, similar to what was observed with a previous dengue vaccine, highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research in the field.
Despite the challenges posed by the current dengue outbreak, experts remain optimistic about the future. They believe that a combination of vaccination, innovative mosquito control strategies, and public education efforts will contribute to reducing the burden of dengue in Brazil. The battle against dengue is ongoing, but there is hope for better control measures and ultimately, a decline in cases.
Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/dengue-raging-brazil-promising-local-vaccine-least-year-away
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