Indian scientists are developing a vaccine to control chikungunya outbreaks.

“Doctors have provided certain suggestions for reining in chikungunya, swine flu, dengue and other infectious diseases. On its basis, Indian scientists are developing a vaccine for the prevention of chikungunya. The vaccine is likely to be available in the market in 2018,” National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme Executive Member Naresh Purohit told UNI here.

He said a national meeting of World Health Organisation officials was held in Jaipur recently for discussing measures to prevent chikungunya. The meeting was informed that chikungunya disease – caused by 'Aedes' mosquitoes – does not recur unlike dengue, which can affect an individual more than once. Based on the suggestions of medicos at the meeting, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) assigned the work for developing a vaccine to prevent chikungunya to a private company in Hyderabad.