According to Nikkei newspaper, the Center for Advanced Science and Technology Research of the University of Tokyo will officially begin human trials in April. This is considered an important step in the race to prevent one of the viruses with the highest mortality rate in the world today.
This new vaccine is developed based on the foundation of the measles virus. Its mechanism of action is that when injected into the human body, the vaccine will stimulate the production of proteins similar to those of the Nipah virus. This process helps "train" the immune system to recognize and build protective barriers, preventing the development of pathogens in case of infection.
Before proceeding with human trials, the University of Tokyo confirmed the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine through trials on hamsters and many other animal species.
This project is funded by the Center for Advanced Research and Development (SCARDA) of the Japanese government. According to the plan, phase 1 of the clinical trial will be conducted in Belgium.
If this phase is successful, the next steps to assess safety and efficacy in adults and children will be moved to Bangladesh in the second half of 2027. Bangladesh is one of the countries frequently affected by outbreaks of this virus.
Nipah virus (NiV) is a pathogen transmitted from animals to humans, with the main intermediate host being fruit bats. This virus can cause serious complications such as acute respiratory infections and severe encephalitis.
More worryingly, the mortality rate of people infected with the Nipah virus is very high, possibly up to 80% in some outbreaks. Since its first discovery in 1998, the Nipah virus has infected about 1,000 people and caused many tragic deaths in South and Southeast Asia. Currently, the world still does not have a vaccine or specific treatment for this disease.
Regarding the epidemic situation, in January, West Bengal state of India recorded 2 cases of Nipah virus infection. Both patients are still alive and are being treated at the hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that 190 people in close contact with these patients tested negative and had no symptoms. WHO currently assesses the risk of spread at the national and global levels as still low.
