Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
The Nipah virus pictured in red – credit, US NIH

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network

Highly Fatal Virus May Finally Be Treatable with First Vaccine–Clinical Trials Starting

By Andy Corbley –

In January, India recorded a mini-outbreak of the Nipah virus, an often lethal disease spread by contact between humans and animals.

There was little that could be done for the victims, as no specialized treatment for Nipah virus exists other than normal supportive care procedures such as the treatment of the resulting symptoms, rest, and hydration.

Some well-studied antiviral medications like ribavirin, remdesivir, acyclovir, favipiravir, have seen use on a speculative basis during certain outbreaks, but real efficacy is unclear.

Now though, the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology has developed a potential Nipah virus vaccine by inserting some of the virus’ genetic material into the modified measles vaccine. Early trials in hamsters have shown it to be safe and effective.

Nipah virus fatality rates are 40% to 75%. It’s typically spread by contact between humans and bats, often through people consuming tree fruit contaminated with bat saliva. Once thusly contracted, it can spread quickly through humans via any form of fluid exchange.

The virus is present in the tropics and often in rural areas where access to medical care may be limited.

Tokyo University’s vaccine candidate is now on its way to Belgium for a Phase 1 testing in humans, where with the help of a nonprofit called the European Vaccine Initiative, it will be examined for safety across 60 test candidates.

The trials are set to begin in April.

The good news in this story is that this emerging virus of which little is known has a high priority in finding a preventative. Today’s JohnKu talks about being proactive. I hope you have a super weekend.

Prevention by John W. Howell © 2026

A deadly virus,

Needs to be brought to its knees  . . .

Science is wonderful.

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

57 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  3. Hi John,

    Love to your cheeky little pooches!

    There’s always something hovering to upset our ‘apple cart!’ Do hope a reliable antidote can be found asap.

    Keep well and your little rascals in order!

    Cheers.

    Joy Lennick

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. There always seems to be a new virus come out to attack. Thankfully scientists are on full alert and work hard. Wonderful that this may be under control soon.

    Happy Friday to you, John!

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  8. Clever scientists to think of inserting the genetic material into the measles vaccine, which is so effective! Great news. I predict an explosion in medical treatments with AI. Is this virus found in the US?

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  11. This is great news, John. Thank you for sharing it with us. As your clever Johnku pointed out, human ingenuity, used for the greater good, can save us all.

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  18. This is the first I’ve read of this virus, which strikes me in two ways. One, there are so man frightening viruses and diseases in the world that we’re not even aware of. Which is unnerving in itself. But the other more positive aspect is how science, when left to do its thing, can be dogged in its determination. Here’s to science.

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  19. It is great that they developed a vaccine for the Nipah virus. Vaccines have done and are doing so much good. Brings to mind that smallpox killed 300 million people in the last century before eradication, chiefly through vaccination. I remember getting the smallpox vaccine. I did not get the measles or MMR vaccines, because they did not exist in northern Sweden when I was a kid. I contracted measles, chicken pox and rubella.

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      1. Same where I lived. This was around 1972/1973 but Sweden, especially northern Sweden got the vaccines later. All the kids in my class of 25 (except 3) got measles, at the same time, and then chicken pox and rubella. Measles was by far the worst. Rubella was like a week off school. A lot of kids got the mumps too, but somehow I was spared the mumps.

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