Context

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced that it has commenced a technology transfer of simplified oral cholera vaccine (OCV-S) to Hyderabad-based pharma major Biological E.

IVI Commences Tech Transfer of Oral Cholera Vaccine to Biological E

• Signing of Technology Licence Agreement: Biological E had signed a technology license agreement with IVI in 2023
• OCV-S: It is a simplified formulation of oral cholera vaccine with the potential to lower production costs while increasing production capacity for current and aspiring manufacturers.

About Cholera

• Bacterial Infection: It is a bacterial infection of the small intestine that causes a lot of watery diarrhea.
• Causing Agent: Vibrio cholerae
• Transmission: Cholera bacteria can be transmitted to people by contaminated water or food.
  • Cholera can spread swiftly in areas where sewage and drinking water are not properly treated.

Prevention and Control of Cholera

• ORS Treatment: It is a disease that can be readily treated. The majority of patients can be successfully treated with immediate use of oral rehydration solution (ORS).
• Role of Zinc: Zinc is a crucial supplementary therapy for children under the age of five, and it also shortens the length of diarrhea.
• WHO-approved oral cholera vaccines (OCV): Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. All three vaccines require two doses to provide full protection.

Initiatives to Control Cholera

• World Health Organization’s Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC):  It is  a platform for technical exchange, coordination, and collaboration on cholera-related initiatives to increase the country’s capacity to prevent and control cholera
  • Created in 1992 in response to an unprecedented cholera outbreak in Peru.
• Ending Cholera: A Roadmap for 2030 In 2017, the goal was to reduce cholera mortality by 90% and eliminate cholera in up to 20 countries by 2030.
• Country Support Platforms (CSP): To increase GTFCC support for countries, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) offers multisectoral operational support.