New-Delhi: The Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawala, announced that they are hopeful of vaccine against the virus Mpox (monkeypox) within a year.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently declared the Mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.
Poonawalla stated, “In view of the global health emergency declared due to the Mpox outbreak, SII is working on developing a vaccine for this disease to cater to millions of lives that might be at risk. Hopefully, we will have more updates and positive news to share within a year’s time.”
Recently, The Centre has increased scrutiny at international entry points and designated three hospitals as nodal centers for treatment.
Mpox, formerly monkeypox, is a viral disease transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated objects. It originated in the Democratic Republic Congo in 1970, the disease was largely neglected until it caused a global outbreak in 2022.
Mpox symptoms typically include a rash lasting two to four weeks, which may be accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash, resembling blisters, can appear on various parts of the body including the face, hands, feet, and genital areas. Individuals with mpox are infectious until all blisters have crusted over, scabs have fallen off, and new skin has formed. Recovery usually takes two to four weeks, but severe cases may require hospitalization and antiviral treatment.