WHO releases guidelines for Zika virus treatment development

After a three-day consultation on the virus, the World Health Organization released the criteria on Wednesday by which Zika virus research and development should advance.

The first way to to combat the virus to is continue to develop novel ultiplex tests for flaviviruses, or viruses related to Zika, such as dengue and chikungunya, in addition to more traditional tests.

Another is the development of protective vaccines based on killed virus or other non-live preparations for women of childbearing age and older. The final is to research sustainable and safe ways to reduce the danger that the mosquito population represents or simply the population outright.

“Zika virus induces a mild and mostly harmless infection in the majority of patients,” Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general in charge of research and development at the WHO, said. “For that reason medicines to treat it seem less of a priority at this stage. The most pressing need is the development of diagnostic and preventive tools to address the current R&D gap and protect pregnant women and their babies.”

As of March 2, approximately 67 companies and research institutions are developing treatment options for the Zika virus, and lessons learned from the recent Ebola development cycle shows in the development.

“While product development is at an earlier stage than that for Ebola, R&D methods and coordination among partners is much more advanced, largely thanks to the lessons learned during the Ebola epidemic,” Kieny said.