The protective potential of Australian technology against vector-borne diseases

By Michael Junger , SVP Advanced Technology at Vaxxas

Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases globally and cause more than 700,000 deaths each year.[I] Alongside high mortality rates, survivors of these diseases can be left with permanent and life-changing negative health issues, resulting in the need for ongoing care.[ii]??

While these diseases are often associated with Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, recent and growing weather events, including extreme rainfall and rising temperatures, are providing ideal conditions for the spread of the diseases to other regions, including Australia.[iii]?

A recent report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that parts of the UK could become home to mosquitoes capable of spreading viruses like dengue and zika virus by 2040 if action isn’t taken to manage the impact of climate and other environmental change.i The report’s findings has prompted the UKHSA to revisit the actions being taken to monitor tick and mosquito populations in the UK.[v]? The rise of JEV in Australia is an example of why we should consider taking similar actions here.??

Japanese encephalitis, is a disease endemic to Southeast Asia where there are 100,000 cases, with 25,000 attributed deaths, per year[vi] and fifty percent (50 percent) of survivors are left with permanent and serious neurological symptoms,[vii]. In Australia, infected animals have been detected in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia.[viii] In 2022 there was an outbreak of the virus in humans in South Australia, with 45 reported cases and 7 deaths.[ix]?

The potential health risks presented by the geographic spread of vector-borne diseases mandate that Australia has sufficient health measures in place to protect itself from spread of disease.?

More than a stockpile solution?

The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has indeed taken some important steps, including the stockpiling of vaccines for various diseases and investing in the infrastructure needed to produce vaccines and related syringes, with the goal of reducing Australia’s reliance on foreign suppliers. But this effort needs to go further.?

Firstly, for vector-borne diseases, there’s a need for increased vigilance and monitoring of the cyclic populations of mosquitos, infected birds, and animals to anticipate a need to vaccinate a given local, regional, or national population against potential risk.?

Secondly, given that the highest-risk regions are often large remote areas with an abundance of wetlands and wildlife, Australia needs to invest in developing and procuring new vaccination technologies to help meet logistical and economic challenges of eradication programs.??

For example, vaccinating a population in rural areas with traditional needle-and-syringe technology can be very expensive and difficult due to cold-chain requirements for distribution and the need to have trained healthcare workers to administer a vaccine. This can result in significant delays when quick action is required.??

The protective potential of Australian technology?

If we invest in the right technology, it is possible to enable rapid and effective vaccination campaigns where and when needed.??

Technologies such as Vaxxas’ high density microarray skin patch (HD-MAP) offer clinically proven benefits including thermostability – making vaccine storage and distribution into hard-to-reach areas easier (and cheaper) without refrigeration – as well as the potential for vaccinations to be given by lower-skilled healthcare and community workers, or even potentially self-administered. Clinical studies have shown that vaccine patch technology potentially requires only one-sixth of a dose with some vaccines to yield comparable results, presenting further compelling economic benefits.?

As we continue to emerge from the shadows of Covid-19, countries around the world are recognising the need to leverage new vaccination technologies, like the HD-MAP, to be better prepared for future pandemics and endemics.??

Vaxxas, for example, will enter a Phase I clinical study of a pandemic flu patch vaccine later this year, funded by the US Government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) .?

The opportunity is there for our governments and industry to support new technologies that can help increase Australia’s effectiveness in fighting existing and emerging disease outbreaks at home, as well as take a leadership role in supporting efforts globally. We just need to act on it.?

References

[i]ukhsa.blog.gov.uk . (2023). Health Effects of Climate Change: the health threat from vector-borne diseases - UK Health Security Agency. [online] Available at: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2023/12/11/health-effects-of-climate-change-the-health-threat-from-vector-borne-diseases/ . Accessed February 2024.

[ii]World Health Organization (2020). Vector-borne Diseases. [online] Who.int . Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases . Accessed February 2024.

[iii]Mojahed, N., Mohammadkhani, M.A. and Mohamadkhani, A. (2022). Climate Crises and Developing Vector-Borne Diseases:? A Narrative Review. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 51(12). doi:https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i12.11457 . Accessed February 2024.

[iv]Coleman, C. and Goddard, J. (2024). UK biosecurity: Infectious disease threats. [online] House of Lords Library. Available at: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-biosecurity-infectious-disease-threats/ . Accessed February 2024.

[v]Quan, T.M., Thao, T.T.N., Duy, N.M., Nhat, T.M. and Clapham, H. (2020). Estimates of the global burden of Japanese encephalitis and the impact of vaccination from 2000-2015. eLife, [online] 9, p.e51027. doi:https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.51027 . Accessed February 2024.

[vi]Department of Health and Aged Care (2022). Japanese encephalitis. [online] The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/japanese-encephalitis . Accessed February 2024.

[vii]Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2023). Japanese encephalitis virus - DAFF. [online] Agriculture.gov.au . Available at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/japanese-encephalitis#:~:text=JEV%20has%20been%20detected%20in . Accessed February 2024.

[ix]Department of Health and Aged Care (2023). Statement on the end of Japanese encephalitis virus emergency response. [online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/news/statement-on-the-end-of-japanese-encephalitis-virus-emergency-response#:~:text=Since%201%20January%202021%2C%2045 . Accessed February 2024.