May 19:Malaria vaccine is to be clinically tested on humans for the first time in India in two malaria-prone areas in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa.National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) Director A P Dash said in Kolkata,the vaccine, which is being developed at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi and Atlanta-based Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention in the US, would be tried in Sundergarh and Mandla .These areas were ideal for malaria vaccine trial due to the presence of two malaria-spreading mosquitoes –Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles fluviatilis — in high numbers throughout the year.
The NIMR director said the vaccine would prevent the development of parasites in human beings, which would reduce the mortality rate of malaria. Courtsey : DD NEWS