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Indian scientists discovered vaccine for bird flu virus

News On Time Desk 05 February 2025

India has taken steps to control one of the most deadly infections for humans in the world. After a long marathon, Indian scientists have discovered a vaccine for Avian Influenza (H5N1) i.e. bird flu virus. In Kerala, this virus was caught alive from a 10-day-old embryonated hen egg, after which it was inactivated in Maharashtra and then it was tested in a high-capacity laboratory in Karnataka and a vaccine was discovered from it.

This is also important for India because Avian Influenza (H5N1) is included in the list of highly deadly pathogens, which has the ability to infect from person to person like corona when it mutates. This virus has the highest mortality rate in humans. So far, more than 50 percent of those affected have died.

WHO gave information
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from January 1, 2003 to December 12, 2024, 954 cases of human infection with this virus were reported in 24 countries worldwide, in which 464 people have lost their lives. Scientists of the New Delhi-based Indian Council of Medical Research have been studying for a long time to bring this virus under control. Meanwhile, researchers have discovered a vaccine using m-RNA technology, for the production and testing of which ICMR has now sought applications from private companies.

Virus stuck on the surface of embryonated eggs
Researchers said that when this virus of 2.3.4.4B clade was isolated from a 10-day-old embryonated egg, it was found that this virus was also spread in the MDCK cell line, which revealed a high titer of the virus, which indicates a high presence of infectious virus. The virus was inactivated using beta propiolactone technology. It is an organic compound that reacts with DNA and proteins. Currently, studies are being done on rabbits and chickens regarding safety and immunogenicity.

This virus has caused a loss of crores to India so far

. ICMR has informed that the H5N1 virus is a major risk to both animal and human health in India. Recently, different outbreaks have been observed in many states between the years 2021 to 2024. Since 2006, India's poultry industry is estimated to have suffered losses of several thousand crores of rupees due to this. There has been no risk to humans in India so far, but in the recent past, frequent human-animal contact in poultry and bird markets has increased this risk.