Corona Alert: Vaccine Likely By Sept-Oct, Says World Health Expert

Bhubaneswar: With several countries including India engaged in medical research to find a cure  for coronavirus, advisor to Odisha Health Department Dr K Srinath Reddy has hoped that a vaccine can be formulated by September-October.

Since the virus is suspected to have originated from wild animals, particularly bats, Dr Reddy said infects the human beings through eyes, nose and mouth. Hence protection of these parts can prevent the contract of the virus, he said.

While countries like Vietnam have been successful in containing the spread of the virus by isolation, contract tracing and large scale testing, advanced countries including UK, USA and Sweden have gone for lockdown, said Dr Reddy, who is also president of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)

Since India has enforced lockdown and is insisting on social distancing, the police and health personnel are more vulnerable to the virus, Dr Reddy said advising precautionary measures for them.

Though young people more prone to be infected due to their outdoor activities, the old persons are also vulnerable for their poor immune system, Dr Reddy said. Repeated cleaning of hands and maintaining social distancing are advisable for all people, he added.

Dr Reddy, who has been a member of different committees of World Health Organisation and is presently working on Covid Solidarity Group Trial for WHO, also cautioned that though the virus is ineffective in high temperature and humidity, it is climatic temperature natural.