Thailand successfully develops dengue fever vaccine

Bangkok, Feb 22 (TNA) Thai scientists have successfullyproduced the world''s first dengue hemorrhagic fever vaccineand will let the private sector improve it for the effectivetreatment of patients.

The Thai Ministry of Science and Technology hasintroduced the world''s first live attenuated denguehemorrhagic fever vaccine developed by Thai researchers.

Thai Science and Technology Minister VirachaiVirameteekul said that the number of dengue hemorrhagic feverpatients in Thailand has risen, exceeding 100,000 last yearand adding some 1,200 cases in January 2011.

Dr Suthee Yoksarn, a lecturer of Mahidol University,together with his team and Chiang Mai University have jointlydeveloped four stereotypes of the live attenuated vaccine bycombining attenuated DNA with a protein structure thatstimulates immunity against the dengue hemorrhagicfever-- caused by the present strain of the dengue virus.

The newly developed vaccine is expected to better protectpeople from the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The Thai researchersare now teaming up with the private sector to further improvethe vaccine for its more effective treatment of patients withreduced infections. (TNA)