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Crucel, a Dutch biotech firm, recently announced that they are developing a vaccine to protect humans against the West Nile virus, which killed 284 people in the United States last year. According to the company, tests on animals have been successful, but further animal testing will be conducted before the company launches clinical studies on humans. Although there are other firms working on the development of a West Nile virus vaccine, no vaccines currently exist to protect people from the virus, which can cause fatal brain infections. None of the other firms developing a vaccine have begun clinical trials yet. Last year 4,156 Americans contracted the West Nile virus and 284 died. The disease is usually contracted from mosquitoes, but doctors believe the virus could also be transmitted through organ transplants and blood transfusions.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration have collaborated with blood collection agencies and state and local health departments in investigating West Nile virus infections in recipients of blood products and organ transplantation. Last year the CDC received reports from 10 states of 15 patients who were diagnosed with West Nile infection after receiving blood products within one month of the onset of the illness.
For more information on West Nile Virus, click below to connect to the CDC's website.
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