The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is actively working on developing a vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu virus, a strain that poses significant risks despite its rarity in humans. As India’s premier health research body, the ICMR has confirmed the possession of virus strains at the National Institute of Virology in Pune and is now inviting private sector partnerships to advance the vaccine’s development and commercialization.
Recently, the ICMR published an Expression of Interest, highlighting that the selected company will gain rights to further develop, manufacture, market, and commercialize the vaccine technology. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, has led to multiple outbreaks affecting poultry and wild birds in various Indian states during 2021, 2023, and 2024. These incidents have brought considerable economic losses to the poultry industry and raised public health alarms due to the virus’s capacity to infect humans with often severe outcomes.
ICMR cautions that H5N1 has a high human case fatality rate, exceeding 50%. Though human infections are uncommon and typically result from close contact with infected birds, the potential severity of the disease calls for ongoing vigilance. Symptoms can range from fever and respiratory issues to severe complications like multi-organ failure.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also addressing the challenge by supporting projects aimed at accelerating the development and accessibility of H5N1 mRNA vaccine candidates, particularly targeting manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries.
This collaborative effort underscores the urgency in tackling a virus that, while not frequently affecting humans, presents grave risks and necessitates coordinated global health responses.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/icmr-initiates-development-of-h5n1-bird-flu-vaccine
Category : India
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Publish Date: 2025-02-06 13:08:00
