Kolkata: Malaria vaccine will be clinically tested on humans for the first time in India in two malaria-prone areas in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. "A malaria-affected area at Sundergarh district in Orissa and Mandla block near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh are the two sites selected close to the sophisticated laboratories of National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) in Rourkela and Jabalpur respectively for clincial tests," NIMR Director A P Dash told reporters.

According to him, 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 respectively.

"Along with field studies, epidemiological and immunological data on people living here are being collected now. Survey and compilation of data for at least 4-5 years before vaccine trial are mandatory," Dash said. 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.

"Presence of two malaria-causing parasites, plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum and increasing trend of the latter, makes these tribal-dominated areas suitable for trials," Dash added. "Besides, presence of genetic disorders among the people here also helps in making these areas highly malarious regions which is required for vaccine trial," he said.

Source : PTI