Urgent Need for SFTS Vaccine Standards

In a significant step towards combating Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a collaborative effort has been launched to develop international standard materials for SFTS vaccine advancement.This initiative, spearheaded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH), aims to address the critical need for standardized resources in the fight against this deadly infectious disease.

International Partnership for Global Impact

The project is a joint undertaking with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), highlighting the global commitment to tackling SFTS. The primary goal is to establish standard materials that can be recognized by the World Health Association (WHO),thereby facilitating the development and evaluation of effective SFTS vaccines worldwide.

This international research is a project to cooperate with global partners from securing biological resources to standard material certification.

Jang Hee -chang, Director of the National Infectious Disease Research Institute

SFTS: A Persistent Public Health Threat

SFTS, first identified in Korea in 2013, is classified as a third-level legal infectious disease. The disease, transmitted through the bite of small Sophie mites carrying the SFTS virus, poses a significant public health challenge, particularly between April and November. With an approximate mortality rate of 18% and around 200 cases reported annually, the need for an effective vaccine is paramount. Currently, no commercially available vaccine exists, making the ongoing research and development efforts all the more critical.

The absence of international standards has hindered the selection of optimal candidate materials and the reliable assessment of vaccine efficacy. This new initiative seeks to overcome these obstacles by providing a benchmark for researchers and developers.

Developing Standard Materials: A Multi-Stage Process

The NIH is taking a proactive approach by collecting recovery plasma from domestic SFTS patients, specifically targeting plasma samples with high levels of neutralizing antibodies.These samples will be meticulously analyzed to select and develop the standard materials.Professor Seung-Jung Ki from Chonnam National University Hospital is leading the plasma collection efforts.

Future Availability and Global Distribution

Once the standard materials are developed and approved by the WHO, they will be made available to vaccine developers and research institutions both domestically and internationally. This widespread availability is expected to accelerate the development of effective SFTS vaccines and contribute to global efforts to control the disease.

SFTS is a continuous public health threat in East Asia, including Korea. I would like to express my gratitude for cooperation.

Jerome Kim, Secretary General of the International Vaccine Research institute

The Broader Context: Infectious Disease Research and Global Health Security

This initiative is part of a broader global effort to strengthen preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases. According to the WHO,infectious diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide,highlighting the importance of ongoing research and development of new vaccines and treatments. The development of international standards for SFTS vaccine development is a crucial step in improving global health security and protecting vulnerable populations.