Dengue Breakthrough

Introduction

Nearly half a million people are affected by dengue every year. But there is currently no vaccine to protect against the dreaded disease. This is because dengue is not caused by a single virus, but rather by four different viruses, known as DENV 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Now a new study shows that an effective and safe dengue vaccine may be possible. Researchers have tested a vaccine candidate called CYD-TDV and found it to be 60 to 90 per cent effective against DENV 1, 3 and 4. Only DENV 2 appeared to be resistant to the vaccine in the trial. 

Source

Down To Earth, October 2012