NEW DELHI: The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is working to develop an indigenous vaccine against the H5N1 bird flu virus, which, in rare cases, can affect humans as well.
According to India’s apex agency for health research, it has strains the virus available at Pune-based National Institute of Virology. Now, ICMR is looking to collaborate with companies for joint development of vaccine. “The firm would be granted rights to undertake further development, manufacture, sell and commercialise the technology/product,” stated an Expression of Interest issued by the ICMR.
Avian influenza H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu. The virus has led to outbreaks in 2021, 2023 and 2024 in several states, primarily affecting poultry and wild birds, causing significant losses in the poultry industry and raising public health concerns due to its ability to infect humans with severe consequences.
“H5N1 infection in humans has a high case fatality rate, exceeding 50%. Although human cases are rare and typically result from direct contact with infected birds, severity of illness underscores need for vigilance. Symptoms range from fever and respiratory distress to multi-organ failure,” ICMR said. WHO is also working on a project to accelerate the development and accessibility of H5N1 messenger RNA vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low-and-middle-income countries.
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