Latest news with #CHIKV
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Trio of killer viruses to hit UK 'any time now' - and there's no treatment
Experts are warning that the UK could soon be at risk of dangerous mosquito-borne viruses, with the tropical diseases set to take hold in Britain for the first time Infectious disease experts are warning that it's a matter of when, not if, climate change will see serious mosquito-borne viruses hit the UK for the first time. Rising temperatures have already created ideal conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to spread in London and the southeast - currently the country's warmest regions. This means that diseases once limited to warmer climates - such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika - could soon take hold in Britain for the first time. According to the UK Health Security Agency, have already detected eggs in the UK on eight occasions, and Professor Steven Sinkins, an expert in microbiology and tropical medicine at Glasgow University, warns transmission could be right around the corner. "It could happen any time," he told the i Paper. "It is possible that over a hot summer the mosquitoes reach sufficient numbers for transmission to occur. Eggs of this mosquito have been detected in Kent and London in the last few years, and the climate in southern England is suitable for it to become established. If that happens it will both cause biting nuisance and also probably transmit viruses such as dengue and chikungunya in the summertime. "There is growing concern that it will eventually become established in the UK and cause outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya, as is being seen in France and Italy. "Dengue can be fatal and chikungunya can cause long-term joint pain and disability." Symptoms of the diseases typically include fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, and joint or muscle pain. These illnesses can prove fatal, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions or a compromised immune system. Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. It cannot be passed from human to human. Its name means "to become contorted" or "stooped walk," referring to the intense joint and muscle pain it causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no treatment. The majority of people infected with CHIKV develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, and most patients make a full recovery. However, in some cases joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. While a chikungunya vaccine has been approved in the UK, there is currently no specific treatment for the infection. The vaccine contains a form of the virus that has been weakened in the laboratory so it cannot multiply. The vaccine works by training the immune system (the body's natural defences) to recognise CHIKV and it is then able to produce specific antibodies which attack the virus. Most people recover within a few weeks, but for some, joint and muscle pain can persist for months or even years after the initial infection. The warning follows news that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently detected West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time. This is believed to be linked to a rise in Aedes vexans mosquitoes - another species capable of transmitting the virus - due to warmer conditions. The UKHSA emphasized that the public risk remains 'very low,' as there is no evidence any infected mosquitoes have bitten humans. The virus was found during routine mosquito surveillance, and is thought to have come from a UK mosquito biting a migratory bird carrying the virus—not from an established local transmission. Currently, West Nile virus is not circulating in the UK. However, if it were to become established, it could spread among birds and mosquitoes, significantly increasing human infection risk. Scientists say this detection highlights the broader concern: as the UK climate warms, the threat from mosquito-borne diseases is growing - and with it, the need for ongoing vigilance and public health preparedness.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Valneva Provides Update Following European Medicines Agency Announcement on Use of IXCHIQ® in Elderly
Juan Carlos Jaramillo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, said: 'We are deeply concerned by the reports of adverse events experienced by elderly individuals. Valneva remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards and respects the precautionary measures taken by authorities as investigations continue. The Company will continue to monitor all reported serious adverse events and fully cooperate with health authorities while also actively exploring a potential update to the product's indication.' On April 25, 2025, within the framework of the ongoing vaccination campaign initiated in La Réunion at the beginning of April prioritizing people aged 65 and older with comorbidities 3 , France's national public health agency, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), suspended its recommendation for use of the vaccine in that age range pending further investigation. The vaccination campaign is maintained for people aged 18 to 64 years of age. 4 Valneva previously reported on changes to recommendations for use of IXCHIQ ® in the U.S. 1 and France 2 . On April 16, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a precaution related to the use of Valneva's chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ ® in persons aged 65 and over. Additionally, EMA highlighted that the exact cause of these serious adverse events and their relationship with the vaccine have not yet been determined and is reminding healthcare professionals that IXCHIQ ® must not be given to people whose immune system is weakened because of disease or medical treatments, as stated in IXCHIQ ® 's Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). The decision was taken following a plenary meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on May 5, 2025 and is based on reports of 17 SAEs worldwide (including two deaths) in elderly people with significant underlying medical conditions and/or co-medications. To date, over 40,000 doses of IXCHIQ ® have been used worldwide. Saint Herblain (France), May, 07 2025 – Valneva SE (Nasdaq: VALN; Euronext Paris: VLA), a specialty vaccine company, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of Valneva's single-dose live attenuated chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ ® based on reports of serious adverse events (SAEs) in elderly people. As a temporary measure, while this review is ongoing, EMA has suspended the use of the vaccine for individuals over 65 years old. EMA has maintained current recommendations for IXCHIQ ® for people from 12 to 64 years of age. Story Continues The Company continues to see a positive risk-benefit in the vast majority of people with potential exposure to the disease. About Chikungunya Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease spread by the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes which causes fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can persist for weeks to years5. In 2004, the disease began to spread quickly, causing large-scale outbreaks around the world. Since the re-emergence of the virus, CHIKV has now been identified in over 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas6. Between 2013 and 2023, more than 3.7 million cases were reported in the Americas7 and the economic impact is considered to be significant. The medical and economic burden is expected to grow with climate change as the mosquito vectors that transmit the disease continue to spread geographically. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted chikungunya as a major public health problem.8 About Valneva SE We are a specialty vaccine company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases addressing unmet medical needs. We take a highly specialized and targeted approach, applying our deep expertise across multiple vaccine modalities, focused on providing either first-, best- or only-in-class vaccine solutions. We have a strong track record, having advanced multiple vaccines from early R&D to approvals, and currently market three proprietary travel vaccines. Revenues from our growing commercial business help fuel the continued advancement of our vaccine pipeline. This includes the only Lyme disease vaccine candidate in advanced clinical development, which is partnered with Pfizer, the world's most clinically advanced Shigella vaccine candidate, as well as vaccine candidates against the Zika virus and other global public health threats. More information is available at Media and Investor Relations Contacts Laetitia Bachelot-Fontaine VP Global Communications & European Investor Relations M +33 (0)6 4516 7099 Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. VP Global Investor Relations M +001 917 815 4520 Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of Valneva, including with respect to use and regulatory review of existing products. In addition, even if the actual results or development of Valneva are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments of Valneva may not be sustained in the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as 'could,' 'should,' 'may,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'intends,' 'estimates,' 'aims,' 'targets,' or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the current expectations of Valneva as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, the expectations of Valneva could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties and delays involved in the development and manufacture of vaccines, unexpected clinical trial results or new adverse events, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, competition in general, currency fluctuations, the impact of the global and European credit crisis, and the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection. Success in preclinical studies or earlier clinical trials may not be indicative of results in future clinical trials. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements made in this press release will in fact be realized. Valneva is providing this information as of the date of this press release and disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 1 Valneva Provides Update on ACIP Recommendation for its Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ® Among U.S. Travelers 2 Valneva Provides Update on Recommendation for Use of Its Chikungunya Vaccine by French Authorities 3 Valneva Responds to French Government's Call for Vaccine Supply of IXCHIQ® against Chikungunya Outbreak in La Réunion 4 Valneva Provides Update on Recommendation for Use of Its Chikungunya Vaccine by French Authorities 5 6 7 PAHO/WHO data: Number of reported cases of chikungunya fever in the Americas (Cumulative Cases 2018-2023 and Cases per year 2013-2017). Last accessed 01 Aug 2023. 8 Geographical expansion of cases of dengue and chikungunya beyond the historical areas of transmission in the Region of the Americas ( Attachment
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pune chikungunya study finds worrying effects in children, one infant needed liver transplant
Pune: There were concerning complications seen in children during last year's chikungunya outbreak, including one case which may be the first documented instance of a patient needing a new liver to recover, a study from Pune has now said. The 2024 chikungunya outbreak was one of Maharashtra's worst. Within 11 months, more than 5,000 people were sickened in the state. Pune was among hotspot cities, recording 462 confirmed cases. Now, in a recently released study of 117 children who were hospitalized between June and September 2024 (during the monsoon) doctors from three city hospitals have said their findings suggest the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is likely evolving genetically to cause potentially life-threatening complications, beyond the typical symptoms of fever and joint pain. All the 117 kids recovered, but 36 needed ICU admission. "These children presented with serious neurological issues, respiratory distress and even organ failure that required intensive care," said Dr Sagar Lad, neonatologist and paediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital (Shastrinagar), and one of the study's authors. The research, recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Critical Care, was conducted by doctors from Jehangir Hospital, Sahyadri Hospital and Shaishav Children's Hospital in Sadashiv Peth. Dr Lad said: "One infant required liver transplantation to survive. To our knowledge, this was the most unusual complication of the infection, causing fulminant hepatic failure. After an extensive search online, we felt it was probably the first case in literature that required liver transplantation followed by successful (chikungunya) recovery." Two children also developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and potentially fatal immune disorder. Six children went into shock requiring emergency cardiovascular support, the researchers said. Additionally, Dr Lad said over half the children in the ICUs (56%) experienced seizures, with some developing status epilepticus, a medical emergency characterized by prolonged seizure activity — either continuous or recurrent — that can lead to serious complications and potentially even death. The doctors said this meant that some of the children with chikungunya didn't just have ordinary seizures, but developed a more severe, persistent seizure that required urgent medical intervention. The study specifically mentioned both status epilepticus and RSE (refractory status epilepticus) among the neurological complications observed in the 117 children. RSE is an even more serious form of status epilepticus that doesn't respond to standard anti-seizure medications. Such severe manifestations, the doctors added, may be linked to genetic changes in the virus, allowing it to multiply more rapidly and trigger even more complicated health issues than just a fever. "The findings suggest chikungunya, often dismissed as less dangerous than dengue, may be evolving into a more serious threat to public health," said Dr Lad, adding that physicians must remain vigilant for atypical presentations, especially during outbreaks. The other doctors involved in the study included Dr Pradeep Suryawanshi from Sahyadri Hospital and Dr Ashish Dhongade, from Shaishav Children's Hospital.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bavarian Nordic Receives Marketing Authorization for Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older in the United Kingdom
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 2, 2025 – Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today that the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorization in the United Kingdom (UK) for VIMKUNYA® (recombinant, adsorbed) for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus in individuals 12 years and older. The vaccine was approved following MHRA review under the international recognition procedure, which is a targeted assessment that recognizes approvals from certain other regulatory bodies, in this case the recent approval by the European Commission. Bavarian Nordic is targeting launch of the vaccine in the UK during the summer of 2025. 'Chikungunya mostly represents a risk for UK citizens traveling overseas to affected regions in the Americas, Africa and Asia, but as recent research has shown, invasive mosquitos known to carry the disease have established themselves in many parts of Southern Europe and are moving further north due to climate change1,' said Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic. 'The mosquitos cannot be stopped, but with preventative measures such as vaccines, we can mitigate the impact of emerging diseases like chikungunya for those at risk, and we look forward to launching our vaccine in the UK later this year.' The UK approval of VIMKUNYA marks the third approval of Bavarian Nordic's chikungunya vaccine, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission in February 2025.2,3 Bavarian Nordic has also submitted an application to Health Canada, potentially supporting approval of the chikungunya vaccine in the first half of 2026. About chikungunyaChikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In the past 20 years, the virus has emerged across several regions in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including many popular travel destinations, often causing large unpredictable outbreaks. Since its discovery, CHIKV has been identified in more than 110 countries, with evidence of transmission confirmed in more than 50 countries over the past five years4. Chikungunya typically presents with acute symptoms, including fever, rash, fatigue, headache, and often severe and incapacitating joint pain. Most patients recover within 1-2 weeks, but 30-40% of those affected may develop chronic arthritis that can last for months or even years5. In 2024, 620,000 cases of chikungunya and over 200 deaths were reported worldwide6. Recent data suggest that chikungunya is severely underreported and often misdiagnosed as dengue fever due to a similar symptom profile7. About VIMKUNYA® Chikungunya vaccine (recombinant, adsorbed)VIMKUNYA is a single dose, prefilled, adjuvanted VLP recombinant protein vaccine for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in individuals 12 years and older. The US, EU and UK approvals of VIMKUNYA (CHIKV VLP vaccine) were all based on results from two phase 3 clinical trials which enrolled more than 3,500 healthy individuals 12 years of age and older. The studies met their primary endpoints, with results showing that 21 days after vaccination, the vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies in up to 97.8% of the vaccinated individuals, (97.8% in individuals 12 years to 64 and 87.3% in over 65 year olds). The key secondary endpoint of seroresponse rate at day 8 post vaccination was 46.6% and 96.8% at day 15 in the 12-64 year old population and 82.3% at day 15 for the over 65 population. The vaccine was well-tolerated and vaccine-related adverse events were mainly mild or moderate in nature. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. About Bavarian NordicBavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit Forward-looking statements This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law. Contact investors:Europe: Rolf Sass Sørensen, Vice President Investor Relations, rss@ Tel: +45 61 77 47 43US: Graham Morrell, Paddock Circle Advisors, graham@ Tel: +1 781 686 9600 Contact media:Nicole Seroff, Vice President Corporate Communications, nise@ Tel: +45 53 88 06 031 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Increasing risk of mosquito-borne diseases in EU/EEA following spread of Aedes species. 2 Bavarian Nordic Receives U.S. FDA Approval of Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older. 3 Bavarian Nordic Receives Marketing Authorization in Europe for Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older. 4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Areas at Risk for Chikungunya. 5 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya virus disease. 6 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya virus disease case notification rate per 100 000 population, January 2024-December 2024. 7 Ribas Freitas AR, Pinheiro Chagas AA, Siqueira AM, Pamplona de Góes Cavalcanti L. How much of the current serious arbovirus epidemic in Brazil is dengue and how much is chikungunya? Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024 Apr 30;34:100753. doi: 10.1016/ PMID: 38711542; PMCID: 2025-05-02-enSign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Valneva Provides Update on ACIP Recommendation for its Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ® Among U.S. Travelers
Saint Herblain (France), April 18, 2025 – Valneva SE (Nasdaq: VALN; Euronext Paris: VLA), a specialty vaccine company, today announced that during its regular meeting on April 16, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its recommendation for use of Valneva's single-dose chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ® for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). ACIP maintained its current recommendation for IXCHIQ® for persons aged ≥18 years traveling to a country or territory where there is a chikungunya outbreak. Additionally, it may be considered for persons aged ≥18 years traveling or taking up residence in a country or territory without an outbreak but with elevated risk for U.S. travelers if planning travel for an extended period of time e.g., six months or more. The ACIP also voted to recommend a precaution related to the use of IXCHIQ® in persons aged ≥65 years. This precaution is a response to an ongoing investigation by the CDC of six cases of serious adverse events (SAEs), including five hospitalizations, among persons aged 67-86 years after vaccination with IXCHIQ®. These SAEs were reported through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is intended to be an early warning system to identify potential safety issues but generally cannot determine if adverse events are caused by a vaccine. All of the individuals who were hospitalized had pre-existing comorbidities, and ACIP concluded that while plausible, no causal association with IXCHIQ® could be determined for all cases and that further investigation is warranted. ACIP also noted that for individuals aged ≥65 years, vaccination with IXCHIQ® might be indicated in certain higher-risk settings (e.g., outbreak), given the known risks for severe chikungunya disease and hospitalization in this age group. For example, earlier this month Valneva supplied 40,000 doses of IXCHIQ® to France's Island of La Réunion where the local public health agency, the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS), is prioritizing vaccination of adults aged 65 and over, especially those with comorbidities, to protect residents during the ongoing chikungunya outbreak. Valneva recently received confirmation from ARS for an order of 50,000 additional doses of IXCHIQ® as part of its ongoing effort to manage this outbreak. To date, Valneva has supplied approximately 80,000 doses of IXCHIQ® in the United States, Canada and Europe. No further SAEs have been reported since January 2025 globally, and Valneva has not identified any safety signal concerns that are inconsistent with the U.S. product label through its ongoing post-marketing safety monitoring, including its periodic safety reports and routine signal detection activities, which are shared with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Juan Carlos Jaramillo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, commented, 'Valneva is committed to the highest standards of safety, and the safety profile of IXCHIQ® remains unchanged and positive. We respect the ACIP recommendation and agree on the importance of continuing the stringent safety surveillance protocols that are in place. We encourage providers to assess the benefit/risk of vaccination based on the individual's medical history and upcoming travel, in line with the current recommendation.' The recommendation from ACIP is pending final approval by the Director of the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About ChikungunyaChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease spread by the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes which causes fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can persist for weeks to years1. In 2004, the disease began to spread quickly, causing large-scale outbreaks around the world. Since the re-emergence of the virus, CHIKV has now been identified in over 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas2. Between 2013 and 2023, more than 3.7 million cases were reported in the Americas3 and the economic impact is considered to be significant. The medical and economic burden is expected to grow with climate change as the mosquito vectors that transmit the disease continue to spread geographically. As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted chikungunya as a major public health problem.4 About Valneva SEWe are a specialty vaccine company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases addressing unmet medical needs. We take a highly specialized and targeted approach, applying our deep expertise across multiple vaccine modalities, focused on providing either first-, best- or only-in-class vaccine have a strong track record, having advanced multiple vaccines from early R&D to approvals, and currently market three proprietary travel vaccines, including the world's first chikungunya vaccine, as well as certain third-party from our growing commercial business help fuel the continued advancement of our vaccine pipeline. This includes the only Lyme disease vaccine candidate in advanced clinical development, which is partnered with Pfizer, the world's most clinically advanced Shigella vaccine candidate, as well as vaccine candidates against the Zika virus and other global public health threats. More information is available at Media and Investor Relations Contacts Laetitia Bachelot-FontaineVP Global Communications & European Investor RelationsM +33 (0)6 4516 Joshua Drumm, Global Investor RelationsM +001 917 815 Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of Valneva, including with respect to potential product sales and regulatory review of existing products. In addition, even if the actual results or development of Valneva are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments of Valneva may not be sustained in the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as 'could,' 'should,' 'may,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'intends,' 'estimates,' 'aims,' 'targets,' or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the current expectations of Valneva as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, the expectations of Valneva could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties and delays involved in the development and manufacture of vaccines, unexpected clinical trial results, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, competition in general, currency fluctuations, the impact of the global and European credit crisis, and the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection. Success in preclinical studies or earlier clinical trials may not be indicative of results in future clinical trials. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements made in this press release will in fact be realized. Valneva is providing this information as of the date of this press release and disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 1 2 PAHO/WHO data: Number of reported cases of chikungunya fever in the Americas (Cumulative Cases 2018-2023 and Cases per year 2013-2017). Last accessed 01 Aug 2023.4 Geographical expansion of cases of dengue and chikungunya beyond the historical areas of transmission in the Region of the Americas ( Attachment 2025_04_18_ACIP_PR_EN_FinalSign in to access your portfolio
