USA approves world's first vaccination against chikungunya fever
The USA has approved a vaccine against the chikungunya virus, which is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia and America and is spread by mosquitoes, for the first time worldwide. The vaccine from the manufacturer Valneva can be used to combat an "increasing global health threat", explained the FDA. According to their data, more than five million cases of infection have been counted in the past 15 years.
The new vaccine is marketed under the name Ixchiq. It has been approved by the FDA for people over the age of 18 who have an increased risk of coming into contact with the virus. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause chikungunya fever in humans. Health experts are warning of a potential pandemic because the mosquitoes that transmit the virus are spreading more and more as a result of climate change. According to the WHO, the virus has been registered in 110 countries so far.
Symptoms of the disease include severe fever and severe pain in the limbs and bones. These can last for months and even years, but the infection is not usually fatal. There is no special medication for chikungunya fever, only normal fever and pain tablets can be taken.
The WHO has reported cases of Chikungunya virus in 110 countries worldwide, including the USA where it's predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes. WHO advises that people, particularly those in regions with high mosquito populations, should be aware of the virus and its symptoms. According to the FDA, the recently approved Vaccination against Chikungunya fever, named Ixchiq, is primarily for individuals over 18 with elevated risk of exposure to the virus in the USA.
Source: www.ntv.de
