ICMR working on new vaccine for KFD: Health commissioner

Mysuru: Health commissioner D Randeep on Tuesday revealed that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)is working on a new vaccine for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) and it is likely to be available within nine months.

After a request from the state, ICMR has agreed to develop a vaccine in the next seven to nine months. A seed fund of Rs 10 crore is available for the purpose, the commissioner said.

Health minister Dinesh Gundurao said KFD is prevalent only in a few districts and after the recent incident of deaths the health commissioner visited Shivamogga to ensure quick treatment. The vaccine developed for KFD previously is of no use and hence we have requested ICMR for a new vaccine, he said.

As only a few people are affected by KFD, not many institutes are showing interest in developing vaccines for KFD, and now a Hyderabad-based firm has come forward and is working on it, Gundurao added.

The minister has requested people in the region to seek immediate medical help when they notice any symptoms of the disease.