"Vaccine for Dengue Fever ??"

February 22, 2011 13:16 PM
Thailand Successfully Develops Dengue Fever Vaccine

BANGKOK, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Thai scientists have successfully produced the world's first dengue hemorrhagic fever vaccine and will let the private sector improve it for the effective treatment of patients, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported Tuesday.

The Thai Ministry of Science and Technology has introduced the world's first live attenuated dengue hemorrhagic fever vaccine developed by Thai researchers.

Thai Science and Technology Minister Virachai Virameteekul said that the number of dengue hemorrhagic fever patients in Thailand has risen, exceeding 100,000 last year and adding some 1,200 cases in January 2011.

Dr. Suthee Yoksarn, a lecturer of Mahidol University, together with his team and Chiang Mai University have jointly developed four stereotypes of the live attenuated vaccine by combining attenuated DNA with a protein structure that stimulates immunity against the dengue hemorrhagic fever--caused by the present strain of the dengue virus.

The newly developed vaccine is expected to better protect people from the dengue hemorrhagic fever.

The Thai researchers are now teaming up with the private sector to further improve the vaccine for its more effective treatment of patients with reduced infections.

-- BERNAMA