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UK Lassa fever death shows rise in global infectious disease risk

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/uk-lassa-fever-death-shows-rise-in-global-infectious-disease-risk-371568

“The three confirmed cases of the potentially deadly Lassa fever in the UK, now very sadly including one death, are a stark reminder of our interconnected world and the need to continue to invest in outbreak preparedness and response efforts,” Melanie Saville, the director of vaccine development at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), was quoted as saying.

“Emerging infectious diseases are increasing in prevalence, severity and spread as a result of climate change, global transportation and human encroachment into previously isolated areas,” she added.

The growing threat posed by deadly infectious diseases, Saville said, underlines the “urgent need for vaccine”.

CEPI is now advancing the development of six Lassa fever vaccines. Three of these—developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), and Themis Bioscience—are the first in the world to enter clinical trials, the report said.

Further, to produce a licensed Lassa vaccine for routine immunisation, the largest-ever Lassa fever study, called Enable, has been launched in west Africa with more than 20,000 participants, the report said.

Some scientists have raised concerns over the need to increase funding for the development of vaccines for other deadly infectious diseases.

Dame Sarah Gilbert, one of the creators of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, had warned in October that her team was struggling to raise the money needed to develop vaccines against diseases, including Lassa fever.

Meanwhile, the UK government this week committed 10 million pound funding for research into vaccines against deadly infectious diseases. The UK Vaccine Network will provide grants for 22 projects aimed at tackling severe illnesses in low- and middle-income countries.

They include 498,000 pound to DIOSynVax to develop its vaccine against Lassa fever, Ebola and Marburg virus disease, the report said.