Russian scientists develop Ebola vaccine

Moscow, Dec 29 (IANS/TASS) A group of Russian scientists has developed a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus and its trials are due to be completed in February, officials said Monday.

The scientists belong to St. Petersburg's Research Institute of Influenza.

"The vaccine against Ebola created by a group of young scientists is undergoing tests for genetic stability," the official said, adding that the vaccine will be called "candidate" until its industrial production begins.

The vaccine has already been sent to the Virology Centre of the defence ministry and will be first tested on animals.

The clinical tests involving volunteers will be conducted in Africa. All the stages of the trials are due to wrap up in February, the official added.

The latest figures by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that the toll from the current Ebola outbreak has reached 7,693 and 19,695 people have been infected.

Most deaths were reported in the hardest-hit West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

--IANS/TASS

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