Zika virus: Vladimir Putin orders Russian scientists to develop vaccine
Russia has expressed a desire to export the vaccine once it's finished
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Russia is developing a vaccine for the Zika virus on Vladimir Putin’s orders.
Although the country is not at risk from contamination, its president has voiced concern that people can still take planes and may come from South and Central America to Russia.
The virus is transmitted by mosquitos in some parts of Africa and across the Americas.
Symptoms are mild and cold-like, but the virus can have a severe effect on pregnant women and their babies. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus is “spreading explosively”.
“We know that such an epidemic does not threaten us… We do not have the natural fauna that would carry the infection,” health minister Veronika Skvortsova told state news agency RIA Novosti.
Russian scientists hope to have the patent ready for testing by March, and plan to export the vaccine to countries with the Zika virus.
Ms Skvortsova explained how Russia is also pursuing the treatment to develop “a full inventory of vaccines”.
According to Dr Margaret Chan, head of the WHO, Zika has changed from “a mild threat to one of alarming proportions”.
Travellers, especially those who are pregnant, are being advised to avoid travel to the Americas, as Zika is said to lead to potential brain defects in babies.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments