SINGAPORE: Scientists are racing to find a cure for dengue, which has already claimed two lives in Singapore this year, and to discover the reasons behind the dengue epidemic.

Dengue has been a health problem in Singapore for decades, yet the methods to prevent and treat the disease have not changed since the 1960s.

Researchers in Singapore are focusing on different aspects of the disease.

Some are studying why dengue epidemics are becoming more frequent, while others are developing a vaccine to boost the immune system of dengue patients.

Scientists at the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases have been studying the dengue virus for some time and may well have a drug ready for testing on humans by the end of next year.

The compound that is being developed targets a protein common in all four strains of the dengue virus. The virus uses the protein to replicate.

Professor Paul Herrling, Chairman, Novartis Institute of Tropical Diseases, said: "We have good evidence that the severity of disease is somehow correlated to the number of viruses you have in the body, so if we can inhibit the replication of the virus, we might be able to make the symptoms lighter or even non-existent."

But the research still has a long way to go.

Professor Herrling said it would take up to seven years to get the drug in the market if the initial trials are successful.

In the meantime, there is also a risk that the virus will mutate.

He said: "It might create resistance after a while and if that's the case, we would probably need to attack the dengue virus with more than one drug at a time. A combination of drugs will make things more lengthy and complicated."

So at least for several years to come, preventing Aedes mosquitoes from breeding in homes will still be the key weapon in the fight against dengue.


- CNA/so