Brazil to test new low-cost dengue fever vaccine on humans next month

Johannesburg: Brazilian scientists are going to begin clinical tests on humans for a new low-cost and effective dengue fever vaccine next month.

A leading Sao Paulo-based biomedical research institute, Butantan, said that the vaccine is being developed to combat the four closely related strains of dengue viruses that have been identified around the world, News24 reports.

Brazil is frequently afflicted with dengue, which is spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti , the report added.

Butantan Director Jorge Kalil said the vaccine, which is expected to be ready by 2018, is going to be safe, effective and low-cost and will be incorporated into the National Immunisation Program to meet the Brazilian demand.

ANI