They all want in on the act. Whether their reasons are humanitarian or financial (or both), pharmaceutical companies and research universities around the world are racing to create a vaccine for the Zika virus.
Why such a flurry of interest in creating a Zika virus vaccine? On February 1st, the World Health Organization declared a worldwide health emergency over Zika.
What Is the Zika Virus?
According to the WHO website, Zika virus is a disease carried by the Aedes mosquito. Those infected with the virus can experience symptoms like “headache, muscle and joint pain, mild fever, rash, and inflammation of the underside of the eyelid.” The symptoms can last up to a week. Fatalities are extremely rare.
Zika virus was discovered in Uganda in 1948. Since then, the virus has spread west across Africa and east through Asia, including many Pacific islands. By March 2015, Zika had spread to Brazil and began a trek north through the Americas. In the US, the first known case of Zika virus was reported last week in Texas.
At this time, there is currently no vaccine for Zika virus, nor is there a cure. However, only 20% of those infected become ill. in most cases, the disease is mild and treatment is focused on alleviating symptoms.
Danger of Infant Microcephaly From Infected Mothers?
So why is such a mild virus like Zika commanding the world’s attention and kick-starting pharmaceutical research around the globe?
- The virus is spreading quickly. It jumped from Asia over the Pacific to the Americas in fewer than 10 years.
- The WHO’s research also discovered that as the Zika virus spreads, they are seeing a spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome in its wake.
- Microcephaly is a birth defect which causes infants to be born with abnormally small heads. Severe microcephaly may cause seizures as well as mental and physical developmental problems. In the US, microcephaly occurs between 2 and 12 babies per 10,000 live births.
- Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that can eventually paralyze the entire body.
The Big Pharma Race to Find a Zika Virus Vaccine
The first research steps in looking for a Zika virus vaccine will likely be to try out existing vaccines and other technologies used against similar viruses. The Aedes mosquito that transmits Zika also carries the viruses that cause chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever, so it may have similar weaknesses to exploit.
- A spokeswoman for Pfizer Inc told Reuters that “Pfizer is currently analyzing its existing vaccines portfolio in response to the Zika outbreak to see where we might be able to play a role.”
- Earlier this month, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd announced that it had created a team to investigate how it might help make a vaccine with current programs for the same virus family as Zika.
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen pharmaceutical research arm told Reuters it was also studying whether any of its available technologies could be directed to attack Zika.
- Hot off its success with an Ebola vaccine, Merck is also jumping in to partner with public health organizations.
How to Protect Yourself From Zika
Here’s some good advice from the World Health Organization, especially for pregnant women, to help protect against the Zika virus.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET (safe for pregnant women).
- Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Close your doors and windows.
- Use a mosquito net over your bed.
- Get rid of the mosquito’s breeding grounds — standing water — in any type of container.
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