JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) may have found the cure for dengue, and possibly a potential cure for the Zika virus as well with a drug that treats and protects people from the disease.
UTM senior lecturer Dr Harisun Yaakob told a press conference here today that the drug called Anti-D'ngue, is a supplement which comes in the form of soft gel.
It combines herbs, among them, papaya leaves extract, coconut oil and Nano technology.
Developed over five years with a team of seven led by Harisun, the project was funded by the university's funding, the Fundamental Research Scheme and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) with an allocation of RM300,000.
"The supplement has proven to increase the platelet count after one to three days, but this depends on the individual's own immune system and how much damage has been caused by the virus," she said.
A total of 15 patients who contracted dengue have seen an increase in platelet count after taking the supplement so far.
Mass production of Anti-D'ngue is expected to start next month, as it is currently being patented.
The Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.