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Vladimir Putin Claims His Country Has The Best Ebola Vaccine
Russia's tough talking supremo, Vladimir Putin, startled global health experts after announcing a bold claim that his country has just developed an anti-Ebola vaccine more effective than any other existing drug in the market which was met with cautious skepticism by other medical scientists.
Putin broke the news on January 13 at a cabinet meeting effectively telling the world with great pride of the breakthrough achievement by Russian scientists.
"We have good news. We have registered a medicine for the Ebola fever, which after the relevant tests, has proven to have a high effectiveness, higher than those drugs which until now have been used in the world," declared the Russian president as quoted saying by the Tech Times.
He made his bold claim publicly a day before the World Health Organization (WHO) official declared an end to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa that resulted to over 11, 000 deaths across multiple countries in the region according to a report by The Telegraph.
In his declaration, however, the Russian chief did not reveal any specifics pertaining to the vaccine other than a general statement regarding its successful development.
But not all scientists are impressed- in fact, many dismissed such sensational claim with downright skepticism.
"This is a preliminary stage 1 study. Which is fine -- it shows their product should go forward. It shows some promise. But you can't say anything about efficacy at this point," reacted Prof. Ira Longini of Florida University's Emerging Pathogens Institute as quoted saying by ABC News.
According to Time Magazine, WHO currently does not officially recognize let alone endorse any particular treatment or vaccine for Ebola other than those drugs that offer symptomatic care. However, there are drugs that are still being evaluated or tested for efficacy.
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