Indian scientists have developed
a more effective vaccine for Japanese encephalitis.
The said vaccine developed by scientists at the Department
of Biotechnology and National Institute of Immunology
offers effective prevention of the disease as compared
to others. Technology has already been transferred to
industry after successful clinical trials. The invention
assumes importance as the disease, transmitted by culex
mosquito, has claimed over 1300 lives in as many as
16 states of the country during the years 2000-2003.
The vector-borne disease causes inflammation around
the brain and is characterized by high fever, headache,
disorientation and spastic paralysis. Department has
also developed a kit to test the disease. The kit named
'X cytone' which is already available in the market,
would help detect the disease fast.
