November 9, 2023 has been marked as a historical day in the realm of medical science, as the United Stated Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has approved the first ever vaccine for Chikungunya: named Ixchiq. Chinkungunya is a virus transmitted from person to person by infectious mosquitoes. The vaccine is developed by Europe based Valneva, the company has secured the approval for individuals aged 18 or more.
The chikungunya vaccine will be administered to individuals in a single dose, it contains live but weakened version of the virus. Prior to the approval the company conducted 2 clinical trials to measure the efficacy of the vaccine, the trails were conducted in North America on 3500 participants.
Valneva has also submitted applications to get the vaccine approval in Europe to European Medicines Agency and is expecting a quick passage from there also. The live attenuated vaccine, VLA1553 is based on the La Reunion strain of Chikungunya which is typically an East Central and South African genotype. The study published in The Lancet on June 12, said that the vaccine has shown highly protective and impressive results in phase 3 human trial. The study also discussed that the vaccine has shown an impressive response rate of 98.9%
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection and is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes species. The virus causes fever and severe joint pain, often accompanied by muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. While rarely fatal, its symptoms can persist for weeks or months, impacting daily life.
The virus is most prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas such as Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The name ‘Chikungunya’ originates from the Makonde language, meaning “to become contorted,” reflecting the characteristic joint pain that bends affected individuals. There was no specific treatment prior to the vaccine Ixchiq, but rest, fluids, and pain relievers helped alleviating the symptoms.
How the Chikungunya Vaccine Works?
The vaccine, ixchiq, is a live-attenuated vaccine. In this type of vaccines, Antigens, or weakened viruses, after introduction in the body, losses their capacity to infect an individual, and help to prompt an immune response in the body, where Antibodies and White Blood Cells are created to fight the infection. Once this happens, the immune system gets it hands clear on how to deal with a particular virus and next time when it attacks the body, the foreign invader is handled carefully.
How to protect yourself from Chikungunya?
Protecting oneself from Chikungunya involves preventive measures against mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers, especially during peak mosquito activity periods, offers a physical barrier. Using insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin helps deter mosquitoes.
Ensuring living spaces have screens on windows and doors prevents mosquitoes from entering indoors. Eliminating stagnant water sources around homes, where mosquitoes breed, such as in flower pots, buckets, or containers, significantly reduces the mosquito population.
Communities benefit from regular spraying of insecticides to control mosquito populations. Given that Chikungunya is transmitted by daytime-biting mosquitoes, it’s crucial to remain vigilant throughout the day. These preventive actions not only protect individuals from Chikungunya but also help in curbing the spread of other mosquito-borne diseases.
