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New Delhi, October 17, 2024: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao met with Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in New Delhi to discuss the ongoing development of a vaccine for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever. This potentially life-saving vaccine is expected to be available by 2026, with human trials scheduled to begin in April 2025.
The Minister, accompanied by senior officials from the Karnataka Health Department, sought both financial and technical assistance from the ICMR to expedite the development process. “The first phase of trials has shown promising results, and we are gearing up for the second phase soon,” Rao confirmed. He stressed the importance of ICMR’s support in ensuring timely delivery of the vaccine, which could significantly reduce the impact of KFD, a viral disease transmitted to humans through ticks in forested regions.
Collaborative Efforts in Public Health
The discussion between Rao and Dr. Bahl extended beyond the KFD vaccine. The ICMR Director General expressed his appreciation for Karnataka’s ‘Anaemia-Free Karnataka’ initiative, which focuses on screening students in government schools and colleges for anaemia. This programme aligns with the national ‘Anaemia-Free India 2.0’ initiative, and Dr. Bahl encouraged expanding it further.
Rao highlighted the innovative strategies Karnataka has employed in controlling vector-borne diseases like dengue. Dr. Bahl showed interest in these technologies and discussed the possibility of applying them in other states to combat dengue outbreaks more effectively.
Future Public Health Research Collaborations
The meeting also opened doors for future collaborations between the Karnataka Health Department and ICMR in public health research. Both parties emphasized the importance of such partnerships in enhancing healthcare delivery across the country.
Principal Secretary of the Karnataka Health Department, Harsha Gupta, and NHM Managing Director, Naveen Bhatt, also attended the meeting, further strengthening the ties between Karnataka’s health initiatives and national research efforts.
As the state continues to push forward in vaccine development and public health innovations, Karnataka’s efforts could serve as a model for other regions in tackling endemic diseases and improving overall healthcare outcomes.
