Canada to conduct world’s first Zika vaccine test on humans

Researchers from Laval University based in Quebec City, Canada are going to conduct the world’s first Zika vaccine test on humans.

They are first international researchers team in the world to complete all of the steps in the regulatory process for the test.

The development of the Zika vaccine has been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada.

Until now, vaccines have been tested on mice. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including France’s Sanofi and India’s Bharat Biotech, are working on developing a Zika vaccine.

About Zika virus

Zika virus is transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The virus is capable of causing serious birth defects.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available to treat Zika disease.

The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Current Affairs 19th July, 2016
Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, June, 2016 Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, May, 2016