A vaccine for hantavirus is being developed by researchers from the University of Bath.

The completely new vaccine has been tested in both the laboratory and animal models, which have yielded excellent immune responses, the university says.

The research team expects to proceed to Phase 1 human clinical trials in the near future.

“Currently there is no effective vaccine against hantaviruses, leaving large populations in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America vulnerable to diseases that are originated and transmitted by rodents,” Professor Asel Sartbaeva said.

“Our team has developed a new antigen against Hantaan disease, from the hantavirus group.”

While more work needs to be done to bring this vaccine to public, Sartbaeva said this is a “very promising development” of a completely new and needed vaccine.

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