As Zika virus spreads in Latin America, it is suspected of causing an unusual birth defect. For the moment, there is no treatment or vaccine for this fast-spreading virus with several new cases even in the Unites States. The U.S. government is looking into the possibility to create vaccine for the mosquito-borne virus.
Recently, GeneOne Life Science announced its initiative for a collaborative research program with Inovio Pharmaceuticals in order to create a DNA-based vaccine for preventing the emerging Zika virus infection.
Inovio is leveraging their past experience in designing new DNA-based vaccines for related viruses including dengue, chikungunya and the West Nile viruses. GeneOne and Inovio are also collaborating currently on other projects such as a vaccine for Ebola infection and a vaccine for MERS infection. For the Zika virus, the two pharmaceutical companies are currently undergoing preclinical animal studies in order to evaluate its immunogenicity.
Now, the U.S. government joins the efforts to find a vaccine candidate for the Zika virus. However, this is a long process and it is not going to happen overnight, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health. Vaccine development can take years, so people cannot expect protection anytime soon.
Fauci, the director of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, mentioned the fact that there are vaccines for other viruses in the same family such as chikungunya, West Nile and dengue. This will facilitate creating a similar vaccine against the Zika virus.
NIH researchers have already begun the research, according to ABC News. The American public health agency also plans to provide funding to some Brazilian scientists in order to accelerate international research.
The Zika virus was first discovered in Africa decades ago. In the beginning, the virus was thought to lead just to a nuisance illness, with milder symptoms milder than dengue. However, after the large Zika outbreak in Brazil was reported an increase in a birth defect called microcephaly.
Researchers are still working to verify if Zika is the cause of this birth defect. Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDA) has advised pregnant women against traveling to several countries and territories with outbreaks.
