Monkey fever vaccine delayed by 1 year | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: Amid reports of an early outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, Karnataka’s much-awaited new vaccine against the tick-borne illness has been delayed by at least a year. Contrary to earlier assurances that the vaccine would be available by the 2026 outbreak season, the govt has now revised the timeline, pushing it back further.
Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who chaired a review meeting in Bengaluru Wednesday to assess preparedness against KFD, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is currently conducting clinical trials of a new vaccine. “To ensure there are no deaths this season, medicines and other medical preparations are being made in advance. The vaccine may be made available to the public within a year,” he said.A previously used vaccine for KFD was found to be ineffective, prompting the development of a new formulation by ICMR, with Karnataka govt bearing the cost. The health department, meanwhile, is strengthening testing and diagnostic infrastructure. A new KFD laboratory is being set up in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district, to handle increasing sample volumes and ensure faster diagnosis. “A laboratory is already functioning in Shivamogga, but following demands from Uttara Kannada, equipment has been procured to set up a new facility there,” the minister said.
